Burnley owner JJ Watt goes viral with a tweet reacting to Arsenal’s Kai Havertz avoiding a red card in the Clarets’ 1-0 defeat.
The Gunners move a step closer to winning their first league title since 2004 after hard-fought win thanks to a Kai Havertz with the winner on 37 minutes.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who are five points ahead of City, will be champions on Tuesday should Man City fail to beat Bournemouth.
Havertz was however fortunate to escape being sent off in the second half, after a VAR review ruled that a late challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu wasn’t enough to be upgraded from a yellow.
JJ Watt made his feelings clear, posting a photo of the incident, along with the ‘Checking Club Badge’ VAR meme.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) May 18, 2026
“I don’t think that’s right…”
Gary Neville REACTS to Kai Havertz’s challenge on Ugochukwu’s calf. pic.twitter.com/O1xCHEX6WI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 18, 2026
“How the referee hasn’t given a red card straight away, I don’t know”@Carra23 & Patrick Viera debate over Kai Havertz’s challenge on Burnley’s Lesley Ugochukwu. pic.twitter.com/xiAGuwwSq3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 18, 2026
Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) tweeted: “#ARSBUR – 67’ The referee’s call of yellow card to Havertz was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge deemed not to be serious foul play.”
Jamie Carragher gave his take on the decision not to show a red card to Havertz for his high challenge on Ugochukwu, as per BBC Sport’s live blog:
“He’s very lucky. The fact that the referee has got such a good view and gives a yellow cards means it maybe difficult for VAR to go against it.
“How the referee hasn’t given a red card straight away I don’t know. He can’t have a better view. It has to be a red card.
“I struggle to see how you get away with that with how high up the calf it is.
On how the decision impacted the rest of the match:
“Burnley did do well in the second half and it was a little bit nervous towards the end. It is not just Arsenal being a man down, it is also missing Havertz for the Crystal Palace game.
“When you think of two big decisions that have gone Arsenal’s way in terms of red cards in these last few weeks, you think of the Gabriel head into Haaland – if he goes down that’s a red card. And tonight. They are lucky to get away with two big decisions. You think they are lucky to get away with one, but they’ve got away with two.”
Patrick Vieira gave his thoughts on it: “It is a tackle from behind and you can see the studs. I think it was the right decision from the referee honestly. I don’t think there was enough power, force, for the red card. For me the yellow card was a fair decision.”
Gary Neville said: “Vicious from Havertz. He is miles away from the ball. I don’t like that. The height of it and the fact it is on the standing leg.”
On VAR not getting involved: “I don’t think that is right. He is a lucky boy.”
Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson said to the BBC: “Over the last two games they have been positive performances. We knew the challenge that we were coming into tonight. A lot of people probably thought we might give up after what happened with the relegation and accused the boys of not trying, so I am really pleased tonight and the last game as well to show what they are actually capable of.
“The capability they have got and showed, that has to be a minimum for them. At this level they can do it and they have shown that tonight, they showed it against Villa. We came on the wrong side of the result, and a decision that I think is not the best, but I am really pleased for the group.
“It has been there in spells but it is just the consistency. If you are not winning games that can affect the confidence. It is a young group in terms of experience and they are learning. I am sure you will see some of that team, some of that group in the Premier League, whether it is this year, next year or years to come, because there is a lot of talent just not the experience needed.”
On the Havertz non-red: “Yes you know the one I am talking about. In today’s game, it is a red card and it is dangerous. He could have injured him as well. That means that they go down to 10 with 20 minutes to go, we are still in the game. We stayed in the game as long as we could. They’re big decisions that sometimes we don’t get, and we haven’t got throughout the season.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said to the BBC: “I’m really happy with the performance, with the result. In the first half I think we played some of the best football that we have played this season. The margin should have been bigger but we haven’t achieved that, and we have shown what we have shown all season that when we need to defend and get through the game we can do it in an efficient way.
“We were unlucky that we did not score the second or third goal. We faced a tough opponent. Look at the spirit that they had still today to try to get something out of the game. This league is so tough.
“I’m very happy tonight. We have done our job, what is in our hands. We have to wait and see what is going to happen tomorrow and then it’s time to prepare for the Palace game.
“Burnley did it last week against Aston Villa so we knew it was going to be the case. We had to maintain the high standards, the way we have been competing all season and we need to win one more game.
“I will watch tomorrow. Tomorrow we start to prepare Palace and we will watch it for sure. One more to go.”
On the Havertz challenge: “I haven’t had a look at the challenge again. He said it wasn’t but I don’t know, I haven’t seen it.”
Here’s how fans reacted after Burnley owner JJ Watt goes viral with a tweet reacting to Arsenal’s Havertz avoiding a red card…
@ElnascabL: When we get an apology tomorrow from PGMOL please tell them to shove it up their arse please. Thanks 👍🏻
@Conor_OShea7: JJ FUCKING WATT🤣😭😭
@TurfCastPodcast: JJ knows
@Hallway20: Another day, another disgraceful VAR decision in favor of the giants. Sucking the joy out of the game, can’t wait for a summer break & hopefully some change.
@RLCBFC90: Makes me laugh because this has now happened to us in such a high profile game it’s all of a sudden “not right” and the rest of the league are in uproar. It’s literally been going on all season for us, we are sanitised to it now 😂😂 #twitterclarets
@tjmitcham1983:
First PL game under Kompany, Zaroury straight red for this….
Three seasons later and seemingly the rules have changed 🤦♂️
What hasn’t changed is the complete inconsistency and big club bias
@TurfCastPodcast @NoNayNever #twitterclarets
@JimmyP53: Even Patrick Vieira’s struggling to lie and say that wasn’t a red card! Professional, cynical, studs-up and high. A Burnley player 100% gets sent off for that tackle #Twitterclarets
@tyre_kicker: Once again THE officials are too scared to make the big calls for fear of upsetting the biggest clubs. Absolutely disgusting that Havertz didn’t see red there. #twitterclarets
@LiamCraneUTC: Well when it was still 1-0 with 15 minutes to go I thought we just needed a chance and sadly it never really came. Did okay but no attacking threat. Then I’ve just seen the Havertz tackle! 😂 There’s genuinely no point bothering with this league at all. Hate it. #TwitterClarets
@claret_jack: If that’s the other way round and it’s our player making the tackle, that’s given as a red…… Absolute shocker of a challenge. Get me out of this corrupt, big club bias league #twitterclarets
@Gingerclaret: Dare I say it – ‘tight margins’ tonight. A performance of determination, organisation and spirit – just lacking the quality to land a punch – which has been the case all season. And VAR stuffs us yet again – what a shock! Bring on the Championship. #twitterclarets
— The Arsenal (@AFC5994) May 18, 2026
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