‘That’s what saved him’: Dermot Gallagher has theory over why Kai Havertz wasn’t sent off vs Newcastle

Add as preferred source on Google

Dermot Gallagher has now been sharing his opinion on why Kai Havertz wasn’t sent off for Arsenal against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Gallagher was talking on Sky Sports’ ‘Ref Watch’ and explained that the decision was right on the borderline.

The former referee thought that Havertz only remained on the pitch for his side because he missed Sean Longstaff’s first leg.

Gallagher did think the tackle was reckless, and thought Arsenal’s Havertz was fortunate to miss the first leg of the Newcastle midfielder.

He said: “If he had got a red card he couldn’t argue but it’s quite ironic how the law here has re-written itself. 

“This reminds me so much of Kovacic [against Arsenal] when he was right on the cusp of getting a red card, I think he was fortunate.

“The referee has given him the benefit of the doubt here, it’s reckless, but he’s caught him with the wrong foot luckily here because if he catches him with his first foot I don’t think Longstaff would be getting up.

“Luckily for him he also arrives low. If he was sent off I don’t think he’d have any complaints. I’d back the referee with a yellow card, just.

“I think that’s what saved him [it was his trailing leg]. If it was first leg, it would be a red.”

Gallagher says Havertz was lucky to remain on the pitch for Arsenal against Newcastle

Of course, the borderline call didn’t end up costing Eddie Howe’s side as they still managed a 1-0 win.

But the controversy obviously didn’t stop there.

Mikel Arteta was enraged after the game at the award of the solitary goal and went on a fiery rant at the officials for their performance.

And although Alan Shearer questioned Arteta’s words at the time, he has since launched his own criticism of the level of officiating in England.

Despite his team getting the result on this occasion, Shearer thought that one of the best league’s in the world was now being let down.

Of course, during Gallagher’s thoughts on this fall out, both Newcastle and Arsenal are now preparing for midweek Champions League games.

Newcastle travel to Dortmund on Tuesday and Arsenal play hosts to Sevilla the following night.

Newcastle will be well aware that Dortmund shipped four goals against Bayern Munich on the weekend – including a hat-trick for Harry Kane.

And Arsenal’s opponents Sevilla ended up rescuing a late draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday.