Kai Havertz was not shown a straight red card in the opening seconds of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Manchester City as VAR judged the incident to be ‘body to body’ contact, ‘both each running into the other’.
Despite its placement on the top-flight calendar, Man City v Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium – a clash between the top two clubs from each of the prior two Premier League campaigns – is tipped to have a huge say in the next title race. As expected, the match got off to a feisty start.
Within three seconds of the home side’s kick-off, midfielder Rodri was down on the turf clutching his face. Replays showed Arsenal’s Havertz to have bumped into his opponent as he moved off from the halfway line, with Sky Sports co-commentators Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher debating any deliberate intention behind the movement of the German international.
