Referee Michael Oliver Under Fire After Trossard’s Dismissal as Previous Arsenal Controversy Resurfaces
In a match that brought tensions to a boiling point, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and his players were left fuming at referee Michael Oliver’s controversial decision during their clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The Spanish coach’s visible frustration, captured in a moment when he pulled his jumper up over his face, encapsulated the discontent swirling around the Gunners’ camp.
The controversy erupted just before half-time when Oliver issued a second yellow card to Leandro Trossard, who had already been booked. After fouling Bernardo Silva, Trossard was deemed to have further incurred Oliver’s wrath by kicking the ball away following the whistle. Arteta’s reaction was notably measured, yet he could not hide his displeasure. “It is obvious what happened when they made that decision, but it doesn’t deserve my comment,” he remarked post-match. “I don’t want to ruin anything else off the pitch.”
Riccardo Calafiori, who made his full debut and scored an impressive goal, echoed the sentiment of many players on the pitch. He lamented the decision, suggesting that Trossard likely did not even hear Oliver’s whistle. “I don’t want to say too much, but for me, referees have to do their job to keep the game good to watch,” he told Sky Sports. “In these kinds of actions, they don’t have to put themselves too much. I think Leo [Trossard] didn’t even hear the whistle.”
Calafiori’s remarks resonated with Arsenal fans, who recall a similar situation involving Oliver last season when Mateo Kovacic avoided a second yellow card against them. PGMOL chief Howard Webb later acknowledged that Oliver had erred in that instance, indicating that Kovacic’s first tackle warranted a red card. “This is clearly a strong tackle, and I’m very confident that if the red card had been given by Michael Oliver in this shot, it would have been a ‘Check complete’ straight from the VAR,” Webb stated on Refs Mic’d Up.
Webb elaborated on the issues surrounding second yellows, highlighting the pressure referees face during matches. “Of course, the referee is one of the best in the world, Michael [Oliver] will no doubt review that and he doesn’t want to have a negative impact on the game by overreacting to something,” Webb explained. “Sometimes players will be on a yellow card and there will be pressure to show a second one.”
For Arsenal supporters, the validity of Trossard’s dismissal feels like an echo of past grievances. The situation was further compounded when Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku escaped punishment for a similar offense, further feeding the narrative of inconsistency in officiating.
As Arsenal continue to seek clarity and fairness in officiating, this latest chapter in their tumultuous relationship with referee Michael Oliver is sure to linger, reminding fans of the fine line between maintaining control and allowing the game to flow. The Gunners will be left to wonder: will history repeat itself in future encounters?
Referee Michael Oliver Under Fire After Trossard’s Dismissal as Previous Arsenal Controversy Resurfaces