Arsenal may have secured all three points against Hull, but a controversial first-half decision has left supporters questioning how the offside and penalty rules are being applied.

Kai Havertz appeared to be pulled back by Nobel Mendy inside the penalty area, only for VAR to rule that the German forward had been offside.

The decision prevented Arsenal from taking the lead before half-time, with Martin Odegaard eventually scoring the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute.

However, the incident has drawn comparisons with a similar moment involving Harry Kane during the North London derby in 2019.

Havertz decision brings back memories of Harry Kane penalty

Arsenal supporters were quick to recall Tottenham's penalty against the Gunners in March 2019, when Kane appeared to be in an offside position before being fouled by Shkodran Mustafi.

Despite the debate surrounding Kane's position, referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, which the England international converted to make it 1-1.

A report by the Daily Mirror at the time explained why the decision was considered correct under the laws of the game.

The incident also drew comparisons with a controversial penalty awarded to Tottenham against Arsenal in 2019, when Harry Kane appeared to be in an offside position before being fouled by Shkodran Mustafi.

Despite Kane's position, referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty, with the decision explained by the wording of the FA's offside guidance.

The rules state that if “a player in an offside position is moving towards the ball with the intention of playing the ball and is fouled before playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the foul is penalised as it has occurred before the offside offence.”

That wording is central to the debate surrounding Havertz's incident against Hull. If the Arsenal forward was fouled before committing an offside offence under that interpretation, the decision raises questions over whether the penalty should have stood.

The key is to avoid claiming the two incidents are definitely identical. The comparison gives the article a strong angle, but we need to establish whether Havertz was actively moving towards the ball in the same way Kane was.

Arsenal supporters question VAR decision

Footage of the Havertz incident quickly circulated on social media, with Arsenal fans highlighting the apparent similarities to the 2019 North London derby.

While the two decisions cannot be judged solely on the players' offside positions, the relevant interpretation of the law is an important part of the discussion.

Arsenal eventually found a way past Hull through Odegaard's second-half winner, moving six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Nevertheless, the controversy has provided another talking point from a match in which the Gunners had to work hard to secure victory.