Jamie Redknapp slams 'ridiculous' handball rule after Kai Havertz goal disallowed

Jamie Redknapp has strongly criticised the controversial handball rule after Arsenal's Kai Havertz had a last-minute goal disallowed in the face-off against Aston Villa, terming the regulation "terrible" and "ridiculous."

In the high-stakes clash between the top-flight teams at Villa Park, John McGinn's early seventh-minute strike proved decisive as Unai Emery's side clinched their 15th consecutive home league win. However, the game's climax saw Arsenal denied what they believed was a late equaliser by Havertz.

Amid a chaotic scramble in the box, Havertz managed to turn the ball home, only for referee Jarred Gillett to judge it as a handball, a decision subsequently upheld by VAR. 

Redknapp, in a post-match discussion with Karen Carney on Sky Sports, vehemently criticised the existing laws of the game.

Jamie Redknapp slams 'ridiculous' handball rule after Havertz goal was disallowed

"It's a terrible rule that any time a ball touches a player's hand and if a goal occurs after then it becomes a handball, which is ridiculous when you think about it," Redknapp expressed his frustration. "We're getting ourselves in such a mess with these rules all the time. How on earth can that be handball when he's not meant to do it? It's a rubbish law."

While Mikel Arteta cryptically commented on the incident, saying 'clear and obvious' without openly criticising the officials, Redknapp urged for a change in the regulations, highlighting the need to improve football as a spectacle and increase goal-scoring opportunities.

"The powers that be have to look at that and go, it's a bad rule," Redknapp emphasized. "Whoever's decided to come up with that as the law, I think it's ridiculous because it's cost Arsenal a goal."

Redknapp's strong criticism echoed the growing frustration within the football community, calling for a revision of the contentious handball rule to prevent such contentious decisions from impacting crucial moments in matches.