Mike Dean and Paul Merson have voiced their support for the VAR ruling that overturned a penalty awarded to Arsenal during their match against Hull City, after Kai Havertz was judged to be in an offside position.

The on-field referee initially pointed to the spot, handing Arsenal what appeared to be a straightforward opportunity. However, a VAR review determined that Havertz was offside in the build-up to the incident, wiping out the penalty and leaving Arsenal without the chance to convert from twelve yards.

Both Dean — a former Premier League referee with extensive experience of officiating at the highest level — and Merson argued that the process had worked as intended. Dean described it as the correct application of the rules, emphasising that the technology exists precisely to correct these kinds of errors before they affect the outcome of a match.

Merson echoed that view, acknowledging that while the decision may have frustrated Arsenal supporters, the right call had ultimately been made. The former Arsenal midfielder stressed that the integrity of the game must take precedence over the disappointment felt by any one club.

The overturned penalty highlights the ongoing debate around VAR in English football, with opinions still sharply divided between those who welcome its accuracy and those who feel it disrupts the flow and emotion of the game. For Dean and Merson, however, this particular decision stood as a clear example of the system functioning correctly.