Referee Jarred Gillett Banned over Arsenal goal decision decision against Aston Villa – Arsenal board set to charge the FA to court to redeem their points, which will see Arsenal top the table ahead of Liverpool

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has agreed the decision to disallow Kai Havertz’s late goal for Arsenal against Aston Villa was the correct one. John McGinn gave Unai Emery’s team the lead after only seven minutes with the Gunners unable to take their chances for the duration of the game until it looked if Havertz had snatched a point.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, though, Jarred Gillett sounded his whistle for a handball just minutes after the ball crossed the line with a VAR check standing by the original ruling. Following the defeat, Arteta was reluctant to express his thoughts on the situation having watched the game in the stands after picking up his third yellow card against Luton Town earlier in the week.

Much has been remarked about the Havertz disallowed goal but also on the Douglas Luiz foul on Gabriel Jesus that didn’t result in a penalty being issued. Earlier in the day Crystal Palace were awarded a spot-kick for a very similar conduct and that is what incensed most with a serious lack of consistency on show.

Although many felt as though the Havertz goal should have stood, Gallagher claimed that the proper call was taken regardless of Matty Cash also appearing to control the ball. “There is no doubt it hits his arm and he puts the ball in the net, so under the new law that’s how it is,” he remarked on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch.

“The good thing is that the referee did spot it on field and he gave it on-field so the VAR check is because the ball has gone in the net. It was the referee who disallowed the goal and pretty appropriately. On Cash handling seconds later, he added: “Because Havertz has committed the offence to score the goal, that would negate Matty Cash’s [handball].

“I think it was the right decision. It struck his arm, it’s unlucky and he doesn’t mean to but that’s the rule. The positive thing is it was spotted and given on-field and I think that’s what we were talking about last [we want to see] more choices being taken on-field because it looks much better.”