The Premier League has confirmed the officiating team for this weekend's fixtures, with a familiar and potentially controversial figure set to take charge of the North London Derby.
Referee Appointment Sparks Memories of Past Grievances
Michael Oliver will be the man in the middle when Arsenal host Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in the standout fixture of game-week 12. He will be assisted by linesmen Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, with Michael Salisbury acting as the fourth official. The VAR booth will be manned by lead operator Stuart Attwell, assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis.
This appointment is likely to raise eyebrows within the Arsenal camp, specifically for manager Mikel Arteta, who has previously clashed with Oliver over several high-profile decisions.
Arteta's History with Oliver's Decisions
The friction stems from recent seasons where Oliver's calls have gone against the Gunners. In a September 2024 match against Manchester City, Oliver showed a red card to Arsenal's Leandro Trossard for kicking the ball away, a decision that infuriated Arteta.
The manager's frustration was compounded by the fact that a similar action by Jeremy Doku in a previous match went unpunished. Arteta pointedly commented on the inconsistency, stating, "There were two incidents, very similar. In particular one was very different with a different outcome that forces you to play a game that nobody wanted to watch."
Another contentious moment occurred just months later when Oliver incorrectly sent off young gunner Myles Lewis-Skelly during a match against Wolves. The red card was later rescinded, but not before provoking a furious reaction from Arteta, who told Sky Sports, "I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious, I don't think my words are going to help."
Arsenal's Team News Ahead of the Derby
On the pitch, Arsenal approach the derby navigating some injury concerns. The most significant is a groin injury sustained by defender Gabriel Magalhaes while on international duty with Brazil, casting serious doubt over his availability.
There is more positive news regarding Riccardo Calafiori, who missed Italy's games with a hip issue but is expected to be fit for the Sunday clash. The team will be looking to bounce back from a recent draw with Sunderland that represented a minor setback in their title ambitions.
With a history of fiery encounters and a referee who has been at the centre of past controversies, all eyes will be on the Emirates this weekend, where Oliver will undoubtedly be hoping for a quiet afternoon.
