Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Mon 16 March 2026 10:40, UK

Arsenal should’ve had a penalty against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Micah Richards believes Michael Keane brought the Gunners’ forward down in the box and can’t believe Andy Madley didn’t point to the spot at the Emirates Stadium on 14 March.

The former Manchester City defender has questioned why VAR didn’t have a better look at the incident and take more time to help the on-field referee make the right decision.

In the end, Mikel Arteta got the better of David Moyes, with Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman scoring late on to secure three points at home and extend their lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win.

What did Micah Richards say about Arsenal penalty controversy vs Everton?

Initially, it looked like Havertz may have played to get the foul against Keane, but Richards felt the penalty decision was clear as day.

In the 24th minute, Eberechi Eze played the Germany international in behind the Toffees’ defence, and in an attempt to get the ball, Keane clearly caught his left foot.

Madley immediately waved off any concerns from the forward’s teammates, with VAR not taking long to back the on-field call.

While Richards has some sympathy for the officials on the pitch, he has criticised those at Stockley Park for not scrutinising the incident for longer.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football on 16 March, the ex-defender said, “Oh my god. He stood on his heel. It was as clear as day. It’s a penalty. And in fairness, maybe to the referee and the first angle, I thought Havertz sort of played for it because he put his leg a little bit to the left, sort of to protect himself and get his body in, but on the reverse angle, it was clear.

“He’s done the back of his heel. It should’ve been a penalty. It didn’t matter in the end but it’s still a bad decision, especially since it has gone to VAR.”

David Moyes to hope for Jarrad Brantwaite return after what happened at Emirates Stadium

James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite were both absent for the Toffees’ trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Jake O’Brien and Kean started at centre-back, with James Garner and Vitalii Mykolenko out wide.

The Ukraine international had a difficult afternoon against Bukayo Saka, being dribbled past five times, winning just three of his 12 ground duels and completing 64 per cent of his passes, as per Sofascore.

With the 26-year-old left-back struggling, Moyes will surely hope Branthwaite will be fit enough to play in that position against Chelsea on 21 March at home.