Explained: Why was Kai Havertz penalty decision overturned in Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Man Utd following a VAR review?

Midway through the second half at Emirates Stadium, the Germany international forward burst his way into the penalty area. He was closed down by a combination of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro, leading to a tumble being taken. Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, but nobody stepped up from 12 yards.

Taylor was advised to have a second look at the incident in question, leading him towards a pitch-side monitor. It was determined that no penalty should be awarded, much to the disgust of Mikel Arteta and the vast majority of those in attendance. It was decided that Havertz had made contact with Wan-Bissaka, who pulled out of his challenge, and was not tripped by the two United stars in his immediate vicinity.

A heavyweight encounter was locked at 1-1 at the time of the Havertz incident, with there nothing to choose between two old adversaries. Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring in an entertaining encounter, but Martin Odegaard restored parity less than 90 seconds later.

Meetings between Arsenal and United have a tendency to produce moments of controversy, with previous fixtures between the pair delivering countless incidents that sparked lively debate at the time and have since become part of Premier League folklore.