Slow motion footage of Kai Havertz 'handball' incident which might've cost Arsenal the Premier League title has sparked debate

Slow motion footage of Kai Havertz's disallowed goal against Aston Villa has sparked plenty of debate amongst fans after Arsenal dropped points in the Premier League title race.

It was one of the biggest talking points from Saturday's game in North London. With five minutes remaining, Havertz thought he'd made it 3-2 after Mikel Merino's shot deflected off him and into the back of the net.

In fact, the German wheeled away in celebration as several Aston Villa approached referee Chris Kavanagh about a potential handball.

And moments later, VAR established that the ball hit Havertz's arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed.

Speaking in his post-match interview, Villa forward Ollie Watkins appeared to suggest that the home side were hard done by after their third goal was ruled out for handball.

"Seeing it back there I am not sure, think it’s gone in favour for us, if that was against me I think I would be disappointed," Watkins told Sky Sports. "From that angle I’m not sure but that’s what VAR is there for."

The decision from Saturday's clash at the Emirates has been met with a mixed response, to say the least – especially after slow motion footage of the incident emerged online.

Some agree with Watkins, while others were convinced that the correct call was made. Here's how fans on social media reacted to the below clip.

One said: "This is genuinely not handball, hits his stomach. PGMOL gifting Liverpool the title, again," and another commented: "From this angle it sure doesn’t look like it hit his hand. How did VAR miss this one?"

A third wrote: "It’s handball and he knows what he is doing. This is just Arsenal fans once again complaining that the officials aren’t cheating enough for them."

A fourth said: "Hits the arm on the bottom and flies up. Damn, Arsenal out here defying gravity and logic," and a fifth added: "Am I the only one who legit thinks this hit his stomach and not his arm?!"

This is genuinely not handball, hits his stomach. PGMOL gifting Liverpool the title, again. pic.twitter.com/9Ve4T5sPHc

— . (@APresserV2) January 18, 2025

In his post-match comments, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was asked about the handball decision.

“Yes, I saw it. From one angle it does not look like [a handball] and from another angle it looks like a handball," he said. "The decision has been made.”

Thoughts on the incident? Let us know in the comments.