Havertz fortunate to avoid red card as Arsenal move closer to title

Kai Havertz took Arsenal closer to winning their first Premier League title in 22 years, but nearly went from hero to villain as he was fortunate to not be sent off.

The 26-year-old German started instead of in-form Viktor Gyokeres and repaid Mikel Arteta's faith in him when he headed in Bukayo Saka's corner to give the Gunners a 37th-minute lead over Burnley.

But Havertz very nearly was dismissed midway through the second half, when, in the middle of the pitch, he slid in and his studs caught Lesley Ugochukwu on his left calf.

Havertz was only booked by referee Paul Tierney, with video assistant referee James Bell not advising the official to watch the incident back on a pitchside monitor.

Mikel Arteta decided to replace Havertz with Gyokeres minutes later as the Gunners held on for a nervy 1-0 win to move one win away from becoming champions.

Former England defender Gary Neville, commentating for Sky Sports, said: "Vicious from Havertz. He is miles away from the ball. I don't like that. The height of it and the fact it is on the standing leg."

After VAR did not get involved, Neville added: "I don't think that is right. He is a lucky boy."

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre said: "The referee's call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play."

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green agreed with Neville that Havertz had been lucky to stay on the pitch.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Green said: "Studs up, both feet off the ground, it's high. There will bunches of people referring back to still images where there have been red cards.

"You speak to the players and ask which tackles do you want to eradicate and it's those ones."

Arsenal have not had a player sent off in the Premier League this season, although earlier this month the Premier League's key match incidents panel said defender Gabriel should have been dismissed against Manchester City on 19 April.

Gabriel had pushed his forehead into striker Erling Haaland during City's 2-1 win, but was only shown a yellow card.

Former England defender Jamie Carragher, on Sky Sports, was another to call Havertz "lucky" and added: "When you think of two big decisions in terms of red cards going their way. They are lucky to get away with two big decisions."

On Havertz's challenge, Carragher said: "The fact the referee has such a good view and gives a yellow card, then maybe it's difficult for the VAR to go against it.

"But how the ref has not given a red card, I don't know - it has to be a red card. The force is the one thing that saves him. I struggle to see how you get away with that given how high it is up on the calf."

However, Patrick Vieira, the last Arsenal captain to lift the Premier League trophy, felt Tierney had made the right decision.

"It's a challenge from behind and you can see the studs, but it was the right decision from the referee," said Vieira on Sky Sports.

"There was not enough power or force for the red card. The yellow card was a fair decision."