Havertz ‘shouldn’t have been on the pitch’ to score the late Arsenal winner, says Frank

BRENTFORD boss Thomas Frank insists Arsenal’s late match-winner Kai Havertz should have been sent off earlier.

And fns joined Frank in expressing their anger at Havertz escaping a second yellow card for what appeared to be a clear dive.

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The German lunged forward and tumbled into the penalty area when Bees’ defender Nathan Collins challenged him – but without making contact.

Havertz then headed the Gunners past Liverpool and Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with an 86th-minute breakthrough.

Brentord’s Yoane Wisse had punished Aaron Ramsdale’s blunder by canceling out Declan Rice’s opener.

And although the Gunners had almost all the pressure and chances after that, Frank was in no doubt that Havertz deserved to see red before sealing a 2-1 victory by scoring for the fourth time in the past four games.

The Dane told Sky Sports: “I actually don’t think Havertz should be on the pitch if he scored the goal.

“For me it was a clear dive when it was a penalty. When you look back at it slowly, it is clear.

“Maybe it’s difficult for the referee, but the linesman should have seen it in my opinion.”

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Fans condemned whistler Rob Jones for the crucial moment.

One wrote: That’s absolutely true. That was a very clear dive and if it had been a Brentford player in that position he would have easily been sent off.

Another said of Frank’s candid assessment: “Perfect. Referees in this country are a joke.”

And a third argued: “100 percent accurate! Only Rob Jones will have the answer to how Kai Havertz was still in the picture.”

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