'Robbed': Arsenal fans react to Kai Havertz penalty decision as VAR makes glaring error

Read MoreThe Gunners thought they should have had a spot kick at the Emirates Stadium when Kai Havertz went down under challenge from Nobel Mendy, with the visiting centre-back adjudged to have pulled the Gunners forward’s shirt in the 18-yard box. Referee Farai Hallam was advised by the video assistant referee to halt the game and review the incident on the pitchside monitor, and when he re-emerged on the pitch, he acknowledged that the Hull defender had committed a foul. That prompted whoops from the home faithful, but they were soon quietened as he ruled that the German had been in an offside position when he was felled, and as such, a free kick would be given to the visitors, rather than a penalty to the Premier League champions. Complaints: Kai Havertz and Martin OdegaardAFP/GettyIt turned out that the decision was in fact wrong, with an offside only taking precedent over a penalty claim when the player in said offside position is looking to play the ball. In Havertz’s case, he was not, and Mendy escaped. As such, the Arsenal players, staff and supporters were furious, and it led to angry posts on social media from fans. One said that his side were “robbed”, while another begged for “greater consistency” of refereeing across the English football pyramid. Another account called out the top flight, saying that the organsiation needed to “get their act together”. Arsenal’s victory takes them six points clear at the top of the table after 10 games, and they were handed an additional boost in the title race after Manchester City were beaten 3-1 by Nottingham Forest.