Bournemouth vs Arsenal Ref Watch: Three Decisions Chris Kavanagh Got Wrong

In a highly contentious Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium, referee Chris Kavanagh drew sharp criticism for three pivotal decisions that arguably cost Arsenal victory against Bournemouth. Kavanagh, appointed with assistants Dan Cook and Ian Hussin, fourth official Lewis Smith, and VAR Paul Tierney, has a mixed history with the Gunners, refereeing 26 Arsenal games with 13 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses.[1]

Decision 1: Declan Rice's Controversial Red Card

The first flashpoint came early when Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice was dismissed for "delaying the restart" after kicking the ball away following a free-kick. This mirrored last season's infamous sending-off against Brighton, which Mikel Arteta slammed as inconsistent—a rule rarely enforced this campaign. Critics argue Kavanagh revived this obscure infraction, tilting the game unfairly while Bournemouth escaped similar indiscretions.[1][3]

Decision 2: Moises Caicedo's Overlooked Foul

Kavanagh reviewed VAR footage of Bournemouth's Moises Caicedo’s challenge on an Arsenal player but opted for a yellow card, deeming it merely "reckless." Pundits contend it warranted a red for its studs-up nature, potentially denying Arsenal a numerical advantage later. This leniency highlighted Kavanagh's fluctuating penalty and foul calls, now nearly three times higher per game than last season.[2][4]

Decision 3: Ignored Bournemouth Handball

In the box, a clear handball by a Bournemouth defender went unpunished despite VAR review. Kavanagh waved play on, robbing Arsenal of a stonewall penalty. Stats show his penalties per game have surged wildly this season compared to peers like Michael Oliver, fueling bias claims amid Arsenal's mixed results under him, including a loss to Liverpool.[1][2]

These errors overshadowed Arsenal's dominance, ending in a frustrating draw. Kavanagh's high game count (15 this season) and stat anomalies raise questions on consistency, with fans hoping for fairer officiating ahead.[2] (Word count: 298)