The Premier League have issued a statement explaining why Kai Havertz’s potential late winner for Arsenal against Aston Villa was ruled out.

Havertz’s thought that he’d made it 3-2 to the Gunners in the 87th minute, as team-mate Mikel Merino’s shot deflected off him and into the back of the net. But following a VAR check, the goal was ruled out. The ball was deemed to have come off Havertz’s arm and Arsenal could only come away with a draw, having been 2-0 up

The Premier League’s Match Centre account on X posted: “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.

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live while Havertz was claiming that the ball had hit his stomach, commented: “I think it might have been his hand. There’s no point complaining – you are not allowed to score with your hand.”

Arsenal looked on course to cut the gap at the top to Liverpool to just four points, having taken a two-goal lead through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. But second-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins got Villa back on level terms.

The Gunners dusted themselves down and attempted to find a late winner, but they were unable to hit the back of the net – until Merino did via Havertz. Arsenal’s £27.4million signing fired his effort towards goal and it hit Havertz en route past Emi Martinez.

Boos rang around the Emirates when referee Chris Kavanagh confirmed VAR’s decision which was also shown on the big screen, as a crestfallen Mikel Arteta sank to his knees. “That’s what VAR is there for,” Watkins mischievously told Sky Sports post-match. Speaking to BBC Sport, Tielemans concluded: “Handball is handball when it is a goal. It is what it is.”

Villa boss Unai Emery said of the VAR decision: “I always respect VAR. Three weeks ago I didn’t watch the clear penalty at Nottingham Forest. When we finished the match and I watched it, penalty. Today the same, I watched it and it touched his arm.

Arteta, meanwhile, said: “The decision is made. It’s difficult because we have so much emotion, the celebration and it’s taken away from you. Not easy.”

In a separate post-match interview, he replied: “Yes, I have seen it. From one angle it doesn’t look [handball] and from another angle it does look handball. The decision is done. We had many other chances that we could have put away without that goal.”

The heartbreak of Havertz’s disallowed goal was the tip of the iceberg when it came to Arsenal’s woes, as the result leaves them six points adrift of Liverpool, who’ve played one game fewer. Arteta’s side looked to be carrying the momentum of Wednesday’s north London derby win, as they were comfortable for the first hour.

But when half-time substitute Lucas Digne swung in a pinpoint cross, Tielemans suddenly sparked a fightback. Eight minutes of Villa pressure followed, as Tielemans hit the post with a shot before Watkins did make it 2-2 by converting a looping left-footed cross from right-back Matty Cash.

Having all but ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title last season, Emery’s Villa left a serious dent once again. “Everyone is going to say it, they threw it away,” Nevin added. “I’m sure Mikel Arteta will say the same thing as well. Aston Villa can play brilliantly on the break and when they did break they looked incredibly dangerous.”

But Arteta was still ‘proud’ of his team’s performance, saying: “We were unbelievable. So proud of the way we played, how dominant, how fluid we were and how much we put into it. We played three games in six days. So proud of them, but at the same time so disappointed. We deserve more. We didn’t get it, and we are sad because of that.”