Key Points

• Burnley manager Mike Jackson said Arsenal forward Kai Havertz should have been sent off during Burnley’s 1-0 defeat.
• Jackson said the challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu was dangerous and could have injured the midfielder.
• He argued that a red card would have given Burnley “extra impetus” and changed the game.
• Jackson praised Burnley’s effort and said he was proud of the players for sticking to the plan after relegation.
• Havertz scored the only goal, heading in from a corner in the 36th minute.
• Jackson said Burnley were punished by a set-piece, describing Arsenal as “the best in the world” at them.
• Arsenal’s win moved Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City, with City set to play Bournemouth next.
• Burnley will finish their Premier League season against Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to the Championship.

Arsenal (North London News) May 19, 2025 – Burnley manager Mike Jackson has claimed that Arsenal forward Kai Havertz should have been shown a red card during his side’s 1-0 defeat, after a challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu that the interim boss believes could have changed the match. As reported by the club’s official website, Jackson said the decision may have given Burnley “extra impetus” if the referee had dismissed the Germany international, while also praising his own players for showing discipline and commitment in a difficult situation.

The match at Turf Moor ended with Arsenal taking all three points through a second-half performance built on one decisive moment and strong defending. Havertz scored the only goal in the 36th minute from a corner, and Jackson admitted Burnley were undone by a set-piece, though he also described Arsenal as “the best in the world” in those situations.

What did Mike Jackson say about Kai Havertz?

As reported by Burnley’s official website, Jackson said he did not initially view the challenge as serious, but after watching it back he believed Havertz should have been dismissed.

“At the time I didn’t see much in it,”

Jackson said, before adding that

“it’s a red card based on how the game is refereed these days,”

according to the club’s report.

Jackson’s central argument was that the challenge was dangerous and could have caused injury to Ugochukwu. He said the incident could have changed the match if Burnley had been given “11 versus 10” for a significant period, describing the non-dismissal as a missed opportunity for his team.

How did Burnley view the performance?

Jackson struck a balanced tone despite the defeat, insisting he was proud of the way Burnley competed against one of the league’s strongest sides.

He said the team “stuck to the plan” and “stayed in the game,” while crediting the players for avoiding a drop in standards after relegation had already been confirmed.

He also said Burnley created “doubt in the stadium,” which he saw as a positive sign against elite opposition. That assessment suggests Burnley’s coaching staff viewed the performance not simply through the result, but through the team’s structure, discipline and response under pressure.

Why did Arsenal’s goal matter so much?

Arsenal’s breakthrough came from a corner, reinforcing their reputation as one of the Premier League’s most effective set-piece sides.

Jackson accepted that Burnley were beaten in the area they had identified as a major threat, saying his side “got done on a set-piece”.

The result had wider implications at the top of the table. Arsenal’s win put them five points clear of Manchester City, who were due to travel to Bournemouth in search of a response that could keep the title race alive heading into the final day of the season.

What does this result mean for Burnley?

Burnley’s relegation had already been confirmed earlier in the season, so the defeat did not alter their immediate league fate.

Their focus now turns to the final Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers before preparing for a return to the Championship.

Jackson’s comments also reflect a team in transition, with the club likely to use the closing stages of the campaign to assess players, restore confidence and begin rebuilding.

Even in defeat, the manager’s praise for effort and organisation suggests Burnley wanted to finish the season with standards intact.

What did the match look like?

The game was tight for long periods, with Burnley showing enough resilience to remain in contention until Arsenal’s decisive moment.

Havertz’s header from the corner in the 36th minute proved enough to settle the contest, and Burnley were unable to find an equaliser despite Jackson’s belief that a red card could have shifted the balance.

Arsenal’s ability to control key moments, particularly from dead-ball situations, was again central to the outcome.

Burnley’s response, meanwhile, was framed by their manager as evidence that the squad had not downed tools after relegation.

Background to the development

This fixture took place in the closing stretch of the Premier League season, when title pressure and relegation realities often sharpen scrutiny on refereeing decisions and fine margins.

Arsenal entered the match needing to maintain momentum in the chase at the top, while Burnley were already relegated and playing with less table pressure but still under the spotlight of public and club expectations.

Havertz’s goal continued Arsenal’s season-long strength at set pieces, an area that has become central to many discussions around their attacking output.

Burnley, by contrast, were attempting to show resilience and professionalism in the final weeks of a difficult campaign, making Jackson’s post-match praise part of a broader message about standards going into next season.

What could this mean for Burnley?

For Burnley supporters, the immediate effect is limited in terms of league position because relegation has already been settled. However, Jackson’s comments may matter in how the club frames its final matches, particularly by emphasising competitiveness, discipline and the ability to challenge stronger opposition even in defeat.

For the squad, a performance like this can shape selection decisions and attitudes going into the Championship. If Burnley can carry the same organisation and fight into next season, it may help them build a stronger promotion push, but the final judgment will depend on whether they can turn that resilience into results.