Premier League release statement after Kai Havertz decision during Chelsea against Arsenal

The Premier League have confirmed that Kai Havertz's goal for Arsenal against Chelsea was ruled out due to the forward being in an offside position.

The former Chelsea man thought he had given the Gunners the lead in what has been described as a must-win game for Mikel Arteta’s side in the race for the Premier League title. Havertz took advantage of a quick Arsenal free-kick to get in behind the Chelsea defence and put the ball beyond David Raya.

He celebrated what he thought was the opening goal, but those celebrations were cut short after a VAR check. Replays showed Havertz just beyond the final Chelsea defender when the ball was played.

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After the goal was scored, Chelsea players surrounded referee Michael Oliver. Pedro Neto’s protests saw him shown a yellow card, which will still stand despite the goal being disallowed.

Explaining the decision on the Premier League Match Centre X (formerly Twitter) account, the Premier League wrote: “32’ VAR OVERTURN, Havertz’s goal was initially awarded on-field.

“VAR checked and confirmed that Havertz was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.”

The image posted with the tweet shows the player just beyond the final defender with the red line showing him in an offside position.

Going into the game, both Chelsea and Arsenal are locked on 19 points with only goal difference separating the two sides in the table. A win for either team will put them within two points of reigning Champions Manchester City in the table following Pep Guardiola's side’s shock 2-1 defeat against Brighton on Saturday evening.