Brentford’s manager, Thomas Frank, voiced his disappointment over a contentious incident involving a challenge from Nathan Collins on a £60 million Arsenal star during their recent encounter. Despite the match being tied at 1-1 late on, Havertz’s crucial goal secured Arsenal’s lead and propelled them to the top of the Premier League.
Frank expressed his belief that Havertz should have been sent off earlier for simulation during a second-half incident. In an interview with Sky Sports, Frank stated, “I genuinely feel that Havertz shouldn’t have been allowed to continue on the field when he scored. His dive was blatant. While it might have been a tough call for the referee, the linesman should have spotted it.”
Further elaborating on his frustration in an interview with BBC Sport, Frank emphasized the players’ understandable frustration, hoping that officials acknowledge the error. He pointed out that a second yellow card for Havertz could have been a pivotal moment in the game.
Despite the controversial incident, Arsenal secured the win, surpassing Manchester City and Liverpool to claim the top spot in the Premier League. However, their reign could be short-lived pending the outcome of Manchester City’s crucial showdown with Liverpool.
Arsenal’s fate in the title race is now beyond their control, with Mikel Arteta shifting focus to the upcoming Champions League clash against Porto. Having suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg, Arsenal aims for victory in the return leg.
The controversy surrounding Havertz’s actions has sparked debate, adding intrigue to Arsenal’s climb to the top of the Premier League. It underscores the fine margins and pivotal moments shaping the outcome of a tightly contested title race, with attention turning to the crucial showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
