Arsenal fans react to referee selected for Premier League. The highly anticipated encounter between Arsenal and Manchester City, which Michael Oliver will officiate, is believed to determine who will win the Premier League title this year.
With a game remaining, City is currently only four points behind Arsenal, putting pressure on Mikel Arteta’s team to win the league despite Arsenal’s recent string of two draws. The stakes could not be higher as a victory for Pep Guardiola’s team might spell disaster for Arsenal’s attempt to win its first league championship in 19 years.
Such games require the best referees, and Michael Oliver has been selected for the game that will be played at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday night. Oliver, a member of UEFA’s elite group of referees, was one of the English officials chosen to officiate at the World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal fans react to referee selected for Premier League
Although there is no indication that Oliver is biased, the team’s record when he is the referee does not look good for the league leaders, as they have suffered 16 Premier League losses while Oliver was in charge. When Oliver has been in charge, City has won 31 times, the most in the league.
Yet, considering City’s success in the league and their six league championships since Oliver was promoted to the Premier League select group in 2010, this may have something to do with that.
The fact that Arsenal has triumphed in each of its four games this season with Oliver in the middle also supports this. Although some Arsenal supporters have questioned calling David Coote the VAR official, most seem to support the choice.
