Mike Dean hints at football rule change after ‘poor law’ cost Arsenal in crucial Aston Villa clash

MIKE DEAN hinted at a potential rule change after Kai Havertz was denied an equaliser during Arsenal's defeat at Aston Villa last weekend.

Mikel Arteta was left furious once again after the German's leveller was chalked off for handball.

The ball struck Matty Cash's arm before ricocheting onto Havertz's moments before the former Chelsea ace prodded home.

Dean, who retired from refereeing last year after 22 years in the Premier League, admitted that whistler Jarred Gillett made the correct call at Villa Park.

But the 55-year-old bemoaned the law while appearing on Sky Sports.

Speaking earlier today, Dean said: "It's 100 per cent the right decision.

"It's something I don't agree with but the way the law is written by Ifab, that if it strikes any part of your hand or arm and you put the ball in the back of the net, then you have to disallow it.

"Credit's got to be given to the referee for making the on-field decision, he's made the call on-field.

"Yes it's hit Matty Cash's hand but that's in a normal position so it's not handball. It's hit Kai Havertz's hand and gone in, they've disallowed the goal and rightly so.

"If it hits Havertz's hand and drops down to [Eddie] Nketiah and Nketiah puts the ball in the back of the net then you're giving a goal.

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"That's why the law is so unfair."

He then emphasised his point, continuing: "That's what's wrong about it because if it drops down to Nketiah, who's half a yard next to him, and knocks the ball into the back of the net, the goal gets given.

"It's just a poor law, really poor."

Asked if he thinks the rule will be changed, he added: "I like to think it would, to give people a bit more clarity what's going on.

"But then you're messing around again with, 'why are we changing every single year?'

"So there's got to be some kind of clarity with what's going on."

Arteta, 41, watched the match from the stands last weekend after receiving three yellow cards.

He stormed off before the end of the match, before fuming that he felt "clear and obvious" errors went against his team.