Arsenal are fuming after Jarred Gillett was appointed to referee the highly anticipated North London Derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
This decision has reignited frustrations among Arsenal supporters and management, particularly due to Gillett’s controversial officiating in recent Arsenal matches, and it has added to Mikel Arteta’s growing concerns ahead of the crucial clash.
Gillett’s Contentious History with Arsenal
One of the main sources of anger stems from Gillett’s handling of the opening match of the season when Arsenal faced Wolves. During that game, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera was involved in a heated altercation with Arsenal’s Kai Havertz. Mosquera appeared to choke Havertz, but shockingly, Gillett failed to issue a red card, and VAR didn’t intervene. The incident left many Arsenal fans and players in disbelief, with Havertz visibly shaken after collapsing to the ground. The Gunners won the match 2-0, but the controversy overshadowed the victory.
This wasn’t the first time Gillett found himself at the center of a contentious moment involving Arsenal. Last season, he was the referee during a pivotal game against Aston Villa, where he disallowed a last-minute goal by Havertz, citing that he couldn’t have had a clear view of the incident. Arsenal fans were furious with the decision, and to make matters worse, VAR didn’t overturn it, even though many believed there was insufficient evidence to disallow the goal.
Additionally, Gillett was the VAR during Arsenal’s infamous loss to Manchester City on New Year’s Day in 2022. During that match, referee Stuart Attwell initially chose not to award a penalty for Granit Xhaka’s challenge on Bernardo Silva. However, after consulting with Gillett as the VAR, Attwell reversed his decision and awarded the penalty to City, a decision that incensed Arsenal supporters at the time. Given this history, Gillett’s appointment to the North London Derby has raised serious concerns.
Fan Outrage and Social Media Reactions
As soon as the news broke about Gillett’s appointment, Arsenal fans took to social media to voice their discontent. Many supporters felt that Gillett had already demonstrated bias against the Gunners and questioned the Premier League’s decision to assign him such a high-stakes match. Some fans recalled the Wolves incident and expressed worry that Gillett might not make fair decisions in Sunday’s match, especially considering the long-standing rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham.
Others have pointed out that this will be the second time in just four Premier League matches that Gillett will be refereeing an Arsenal game this season, which has only fueled their frustration. Many are asking why, given his recent controversial decisions, Gillett is being trusted with such an important fixture.
Mikel Arteta was left livid after the incident went unpunished
This mounting concern is compounded by the fact that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is already facing significant challenges ahead of the derby. Several key players, including team captain Martin Odegaard and new recruit Mikel Merino, are dealing with injuries. The growing injury list means that Arsenal will be somewhat depleted, making fair officiating even more crucial.
Further Controversy Involving Wolves’ Yerson Mosquera
In addition to the choking incident involving Havertz, Mosquera was also involved in another strange moment during the same match. The Wolves defender grabbed Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus’ backside during a skirmish, which led to a brief altercation between the two. Surprisingly, Jesus was the one who ended up receiving a yellow card, while Mosquera went unpunished. This inconsistency in Gillett’s officiating has left Arsenal fans questioning his ability to manage intense situations fairly and effectively.
Previous Arsenal and Tottenham Encounters
The North London Derby is one of the most heated rivalries in English football, and every decision is magnified due to the intensity of the fixture. Arsenal and Tottenham are both in strong form this season, and the outcome of the match could have significant implications for their Premier League standings. In such a high-pressure environment, Gillett’s past decisions in Arsenal matches have left fans and pundits wondering whether his appointment is the right choice for such an important clash.
Arsenal’s concerns aren’t just limited to Gillett, though. Referee Stuart Attwell, who was involved in the controversial decision during Arsenal’s match against Manchester City in 2022, will be on VAR duty for the derby. Given his history with the Gunners and the potential for VAR to influence key decisions, this has only heightened the anxiety among Arsenal supporters.
What Does This Mean for Mikel Arteta?
Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly feeling the pressure. Injuries to key players have already put him in a difficult position, and the appointment of Gillett as the match official only adds to the stress. Arteta will need to focus on keeping his players composed and ensuring that they don’t allow the refereeing controversy to affect their performance on the pitch. However, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Gillett’s track record could become a major talking point, especially if any controversial decisions arise during the derby.
Arteta is known for his meticulous preparation and tactical acumen, and he will undoubtedly have his team focused on the task at hand. However, given the magnitude of the match and the fierce rivalry between Arsenal and Tottenham, any contentious refereeing decisions could spark a backlash not only from Arsenal fans but from the wider footballing community as well.
Final Thoughts: A Crucial Derby Under the Microscope
The North London Derby is always a must-watch fixture, but this particular edition has even more intrigue due to the appointment of Jarred Gillett as the referee. With his recent history of controversial decisions in Arsenal matches, all eyes will be on how he manages Sunday’s game. For Arsenal fans, any hint of unfairness or inconsistency could overshadow the match and reignite the debate over officiating standards in the Premier League.
For Mikel Arteta and his players, the focus will be on securing a crucial win, despite the challenges posed by injuries and refereeing concerns. As the derby approaches, the tension between Arsenal and Tottenham fans continues to build, and it’s clear that Gillett’s performance will be under intense scrutiny.
