Ollie Watkins has raised eyebrows following the controversial VAR decision that disallowed what would have been Arsenal's third goal during Saturday's exhilarating 2-2 draw with Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The match unfolded dramatically, with Arsenal initially taking control through Gabriel Martinelli's opener, followed by Kai Havertz doubling their lead shortly after the interval. However, Aston Villa responded with goals from Youri Tielemans and Watkins, showcasing their tenacity and ability to fight back.
As Arsenal sought a crucial third goal to secure the win, Havertz appeared to have found the net again when a shot from Mikel Merino deflected off him late in the game. Yet, a VAR review determined that the ball had made contact with Havertz's arm, leading to the disallowed goal and ultimately resulting in a stalemate.
In his post-match reflections, Watkins expressed a nuanced view on the VAR decision, despite its favourable outcome for his team. Speaking to Sky Sports, he remarked, "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. From that angle I'm not sure but that's what VAR is there for."
Watkins also highlighted the shift in momentum following Tielemans' goal, stating, "We got the goal from Youri, we went up the pitch and he nearly scored again. Got a lot of momentum from that and faith when we went forward on transition there was chances to be had." He further elaborated on the tactical dynamics of the encounter, noting, "We knew they went man-for-man, Gabriel on me, Partey on Jacob, we were man-for-man at the back and few times I could have done better in first-half. Chances there to be taken and they [Arsenal] were always a little bit open."
The match served as a testament to the intensity of Premier League football, underscoring the fine margins that can influence the outcome of a game. Arsenal will undoubtedly feel they squandered an opportunity to claim all three points, while Aston Villa's resilience continues to be a defining characteristic of their campaign this season. As the battle for supremacy in the league intensifies, both teams will take valuable lessons from this encounter.