Referee that left Arsenal ‘absolutely fuming’ in charge for Spurs clash after Trossard and Lewis-Skelly drama
Mikel Arteta will be reunited with a referee that he’s clashed with in the past
Michael Oliver has been confirmed as the referee for Arsenal’s crucial North London derby clash with arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Olivier will be the man tasked with overseeing one of the most high stakes matches in the English footballing calendar in what promises to be a real battle between two highly ambitious sides at the Emirates Stadium.
The official is classed as one the best country’s leading referees having overseen over 400 Premier League matches, including nine this season. However, he’s not got on the right side of managers, and in particular Mikel Arteta, who has been a vocal critic of the experienced referee in the past.
Michael Oliver takes charge of first Arsenal game since Wolves controversy
Michael Oliver has overseen 55 Arsenal matches in his career as a referee, the second most of any team behind Liverpool.However, he’s not been in charge of any Arsenal match since January when he hit the headlines for showing Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card in the 43rd minute.
The incident took place during a Wolves counterattack as the teenage defender was punished for a rash tackle on defender Matt Doherty nearly 30 yards from the hosts' goal. It made Lewis-Skelly the third youngest footballer in history to be sent off in the Premier League, behind Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
Arsenal won that particular fixture 1-0 after Riccardo Califori’s match-winner. However, Arteta lambasted the referee for a decision that had the potential to have ramifications on that season’s title race.
Arteta told BBC Match of the Day the decision was "so obvious that today you don't need my words. I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you," he added in an interview with Sky Sports.”Because it is that obvious, I don't think my words are going to help."
The division’s leading scorer in history Alan Shearer added on BBC Match of the Day at the time: "It should have been a yellow card, it is a terrible decision. There was no speed, no intensity, it was not endangering an opponent and was 90 yards from goal, so never, ever a red card. What worries me is there is an assistant VAR and a VAR who have seen several replays and they think it is serious foul play."
It’s not the only time Arteta has been left frustrated with Oliver. The Spaniard was left similarly miffed with Oliver sent off Leandro Trossard in his side’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City in September 2024.
The Belgian, already on a booking, was shown a second yellow for fouling Bernardo Silva and then kicking the ball away on the stroke of half-time, but Arteta felt that Jeremy Doku was allowed to get away with something very similar earlier in that contest.
Arsenal prepare for significant Tottenham test
Arsenal’s relentless winning streak was stopped in its tracks at the Stadium of Light in an eventful 2-2 draw. Manchester City capitalised to reduce the deficit to just four points by overwhelming Liverpool in a 3-0 win. City have only lost twice against their next opponents Newcastle since 2005, meaning Arsenal need to deliver on derby day to avoid coming under further pressure.
They’ve won all of their last four matches against Tottenham but are coming against Thomas Frank for the first time since his decision to swap his role in West London with Brentford for the job at Spurs. Eight points separate Tottenham and Arsenal heading into the clash in what promises to be a vociferous atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium.