‘Miles away’ – Arsenal’s Kai Havertz ‘lucky’ to avoid red card against Burnley

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green agreed with Neville that Havertz had been lucky to stay on the pitch.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Green said: “Studs up, both feet off the ground, it’s high. There will bunches of people referring back to still images where there have been red cards.

“You speak to the players and ask which tackles do you want to eradicate and it’s those ones.”

Arsenal have not had a player sent off in the Premier League this season, although earlier this month the Premier League’s key match incidents panel said defender Gabriel should have been dismissed against Manchester City on 19 April.

Gabriel had pushed his forehead into striker Erling Haaland during City’s 2-1 win, but was only shown a yellow card.

Former England defender Jamie Carragher, on Sky Sports, was another to call Havertz “lucky” and added: “When you think of two big decisions in terms of red cards going their way. They are lucky to get away with two big decisions.”

On Havertz’s challenge, Carragher said: “The fact the referee has such a good view and gives a yellow card, then maybe it’s difficult for the VAR to go against it.

“But how the ref has not given a red card, I don’t know – it has to be a red card. The force is the one thing that saves him. I struggle to see how you get away with that given how high it is up on the calf.”

However, Patrick Vieira, the last Arsenal captain to lift the Premier League trophy, felt Tierney had made the right decision.

“It’s a challenge from behind and you can see the studs, but it was the right decision from the referee,” said Vieira on Sky Sports.

“There was not enough power or force for the red card. The yellow card was a fair decision.”