Kai Havertz Dive vs. Brentford Should Have Resulted in Red Card

Arsenal's Kai Havertz should have been sent off after diving against Brentford. That is the opinion of Brentford boss Thomas Frank and Arsenal icon Ian Wright.

Kai Havertz should not have been on the field when he scored Arsenal's winning goal against Brentford on Saturday.

That opinion is shared by Brentford manager Thomas Frank and Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

Havertz headed home from six yards in the 86th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.

But Frank is convinced that Havertz should have been sent off 21 minutes earlier.

Havertz was shown a yellow card late in the first half after catching Kristoffer Ajer with a stray elbow.

The Germany forward was then seemingly lucky to escape a second booking in the 65th minute when he appeared to dive inside the penalty area.

Havertz threw himself to the floor in an apparent attempt to fool referee Robert Jones into thinking he had been fouled by Nathan Collins.

KAI HAVERTZ DIVE. The importance of the reverse-angle view. 🤿 pic.twitter.com/rwLh9yRSJZ

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) March 9, 2024

Collins and many of his Brentford teammates reacted by urging Jones to show Havertz a second yellow card but instead he just pointed for a goal kick.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Frank said: "I actually think, and I would never normally do this, but I think Havertz shouldn't be on the pitch when he scored the goal.

"For me, it was a clear dive - the penalty shout. If you see that slowly back, it's clear. Maybe, it's difficult for Rob the ref but the linesman should have seen it, in my opinion, clearly."

Former Gunners striker Wright was a pundit on BBC Match of the Day on Saturday night and he concurred with Frank.

"I have to agree with Thomas Frank," said Wright. "He probably shouldn't have been on the pitch for that, but he was.

Wright later added: "I think the assistant referee should have been doing more there. The assistant should be seeing that."

Havertz would not have been the first player to have been sent off for diving in the Premier League this season.

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma picked up a second yellow card for simulation during his team's 1-0 win at Luton Town in October.

Kai Havertz pictured lying on the ground inside the penalty area after an apparent dive during Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday / NBC Sports