Bournemouth star responds to Kai Havertz claim over controversial Arsenal penalty

Travers was judged to have brought down the Arsenal forward (Picture: Getty)

Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers insisted Kai Havertz ‘dangled his leg out’ to win a penalty for Arsenal, baffled by the on-field referee’s decision not to review the incident.

Arsenal moved four points clear, temporarily at least, at the top of the Premier League after a 3-0 win over the Cherries in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring just before half-time from the penalty spot after Travers was judged to have brought down Havertz in the box. After a VAR review, the decision was not overturned.

The decision angered the visitors, adamant the German had initiated contact with their goalkeeper as he latched onto Martin Odegaard’s pass.

Havertz dismissed those suggestions, insisting it was a penalty and that Travers had ‘understood’ why the spot kick was awarded.

Republic of Ireland international Travers however said it was Havertz who caused the contact, adamant there was nothing he could have done to avoid touching the Gunners star in that situation.

He told TNT Sports: ‘It’s a tough one. As a goalkeeper you are always trying to make yourself as big as possible, trying to make the save.

Travers was adamant Havertz initiated the contract (Picture: Getty)

‘Havertz is coming in trying to score, if he shoots first time you are just trying to make the save. I am not thinking about Havertz of if I’m going to tackle him, I’m just trying to make the save.

‘I feel he dangles his leg out, there is contact but from a goalkeeper’s point of view I don’t understand how I am going to make the save [if I stand still].’

Travers was also disappointed not to see the incident reviewed by the on-field referee on the pitch-side monitor.

‘I don’t understand why the ref can’t just go over there quickly and make his own decision. He is there in the moment, he made the first initial decision. It’s a tough one, but you would like to see it get reviewed.’

Bournemouth were left frustrated again with the score at 2-0 as they saw a goal ruled out for a foul on Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

Travers was in agreement the goal should have stood. ‘There’s frustration from the lads,’ he said. ‘I thought the goal should have stood but there’s nothing we can do now.’

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