Kai Havertz has scored 13 times and has 2 assists in 29 games for Arsenal in all competitions, but the numbers don’t explain everything. The German forward has been inconsistent in his scoring and has had purple patches and scoring draughts which doesn’t help Arsenal as both Gabriel Jesus and Saka are out due to injuries.
In Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa, Havertz found himself in the spotlight for an accidental handball that nullified what would have been a dramatic late winner for the Gunners.With the game tied at 2-2, Mikel Merino’s shot deflected off Havertz’s arm and past Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, sparking brief celebrations before VAR intervened.
The Premier League’s Match Centre clarified the decision, stating: “The Arsenal goal was awarded on-field. The VAR established that the ball hit Havertz’s arm immediately before entering the goal and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”
A third and winning goal would have spared Arsenal’s blushes of throwing away a 2-0 lead that they had up until minute 60 when Watkins started Villa’s comeback.
Boos echoed around the Emirates as referee Chris Kavanagh confirmed the decision, leaving Arsenal fans dejected. Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin weighed in on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying, “I think it might have been his hand. There’s no point complaining—you are not allowed to score with your hand.”
Even though Havertz did score Arsenal’s second, all the attention was drawn towards his accidental defensive play that deflected Merino’s shot on target. Mikel Arteta reflected on the match with a mix of pride and frustration: “We were unbelievable. So proud of the way we played, how dominant, how fluid we were… but at the same time so disappointed. We deserve more.”
Interestingly, across the Atlantic, another athlete was facing a similar wave of criticism. Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews found himself at the center of attention during a crucial NFL playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Andrews, who had been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ offense, made two costly mistakes in the fourth quarter—a fumble that led to a Bills field goal and a dropped two-point conversion that could have turned the tide. The Ravens ultimately lost 27-25, ending their Super Bowl aspirations.
Fans aren’t happy, especially since the catch was a relatively easy one, and a player like Andrews who’s had a solid season wouldn’t be expected to fumble it.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh defended Andrews, saying, “We wouldn’t be here without Mark Andrews.” Safety Kyle Hamilton echoed the sentiment: “For anybody to say anything about him, you have to look in the mirror.”
Yet the parallels between Andrews’ mishaps and Havertz’s handball are stark. Both players have had good seasons for their respective teams, but it’s hard to look away from two costly mistakes. Both faltered when it mattered most, leaving fans and pundits to dissect the impact of their errors.
The comparisons to Mark Andrews, though from a different sport, are apt. Just as Andrews’ fumble and drop significantly altered the Ravens’ trajectory, Havertz’s handball has left Arsenal playing catch-up in the title race.
Fans online had a field day drawing comparisons between Mark Andrews and Kai Havertz, with one user merging their faces into one.
One user said, “Two of my sports collided but in the worst of ways,” while another said, “as a ravens arsenal fan nothing more true has ever been posted.”
