Premier League make Michael Oliver decision for Chelsea vs Arsenal after controversial red card

Michael Oliver has been selected as the matchday official for Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. This is the first Arsenal game that Oliver will officiate since the 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Oliver, described by many as the highest-regarded official in the country, has had a notable history with Arsenal. Since Mikel Arteta was appointed in December 2019, he has sent off four Gunners players, including Leandro Trossard for a second bookable offence for delaying the restart in that draw at the Etihad Stadium in his last game officiating Arsenal.

"I think it's very clear,” Arteta said after the game when asked about the incident. “Very obvious.

“Hopefully what 100 per cent of what people thinks. It's not my job to come here and judge what happened. My job is to survive in the most difficult environment you can throw in football for 55 minutes. And try to get things done to survive. That's my job, the rest is not my job.

"It's already the second time it has happened in five games, which is really, really worrying if we want to see the best Premier League."

Gabriel Martinelli was sent off against Wolves for two bookable offences in the same phase of play, something never seen since. Granit Xhaka was sent off at Liverpool in the League Cup semi-final first leg for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and Fabio Vieira was shown a red against Burnley for serious foul play.

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In the same timeframe he has not sent off any Chelsea players. The last time he officiated a game between the two sides was in November of 2022 when Arsenal managed a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge – a scoreline they would grab with both arms if offered to them now.

Oliver has not officiated a Chelsea game all season so far, with the last being the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City in April, which the Blues lost. City were given the benefit of the doubt when a Cole Palmer free-kick struck the arm of Jack Grealish in the box.

Both sides will hope that there will be no controversial decisions on Sunday. A win for either could solidify or end any title ambitions they might have and be damning for the other.