At a Glance:
- Arsenal take on Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday.
- The Gunners have the chance to go twelve points clear at the top of the Premier League.
- The Premier League have made an announcement which could frustrate Mikel Arteta ahead of this clash.
Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title resumes on Saturday when Mikel Arteta’s side take on Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners beat Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday night, courtesy of a 91st-minute winner from Kai Havertz. Latching onto a superb clipped pass from Gabriel Martinelli, the German slotted past Rui Silva to secure an unlikely win for the travelling side at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Arteta’s team now have the opportunity to reach the semi-finals of Europe’s elite competition for the second consecutive season, although their attention turns back to domestic affairs this weekend. Bournemouth await in N5, and the Premier League have just announced something that will not excite the Gunners boss.
Premier League appoint Michael Oliver as referee for Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Arsenal have certainly been prominent in a number of VAR and refereeing controversies over the last two seasons. The Gunners had six players sent off last term, with two of these red cards distributed for ‘delaying the restart’ – a rule that has not been consistently enforced in the Premier League.
This term, their matches have involved significantly fewer controversial moments, although as the run-in approaches, Arteta will certainly be expecting some more high-profile incidents that cause a stir.
Michael Oliver has been appointed as the referee for the showdown against the Cherries on Saturday, and he’ll be supported by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring.
The Premier League have also appointed Darren England as the Video Assistant Referee for the clash, with Gavin Ward the designated fourth official.
| Oliver’s record refereeing Arsenal matches | |||
| Matches | Arsenal wins | Draws | Arsenal defeats |
| 64 | 32 | 14 | 18 |
Michael Oliver sent Leandro Trossard off against Manchester City last season
While revered as one of the best English referees, Oliver has been at the centre of several dubious decisions involving Arsenal.
The official oversaw the Gunners’ dramatic encounter at the Etihad last season, dismissing Leandro Trossard on the stroke of half-time for kicking the ball away seconds after he’d called a foul. Arteta was vocal in his disappointment over the decision, feeling maximum punishment was dished out for an inconsequential offence.
Oliver also refereed Arsenal’s game against City at the Emirates the season before, when he refused to send Mateo Kovacic off for two reckless tackles, which easily could have been red cards by themselves. Howard Webb claimed that Oliver didn’t want to have an overly reactionary impact on the game, yet a year later he leaped at the opportunity to send Trossard off for a minimal infringement of the rules.
Concerns have been raised over Oliver’s involvement with the UAE League and how this presents a conflict of interests regarding his Premier League officiating. The official has been paid to referee games in the Middle Eastern country, effectively meaning that he has been on the payroll of the group that owns Manchester City.
While few are suggesting he deliberately favours City when refereeing in the Premier League, there have been suggestions of an implicit bias towards the Citizens. With Arsenal going head-to-head with the Manchester-outfit for the Premier League title, Arteta may well be concerned that this suspected unconscious favouritism could seep into his officiating of the Bournemouth clash.
