Experts slam referee Michael Oliver for 'ruining everything' during Manchester City vs Arsenal
Courtesy: AFP
Manchester City and Arsenal played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, which experts celebrated as a standout moment in the Premier League.
Referee Michael Oliver's decision to send off Leandro Trossard late in the first half became a major talking point due to its controversy.
Manchester United icon Peter Schmeichel criticized the referee, suggesting that he was spoiling the game: "This is the most important game in the Premier League so far! Soft yellow cards! Why is Michael Oliver trying to spoil it? It’s a big game, emotions are running high—understand what you’re dealing with, but no—Michael Oliver wants to be the center of attention!"
British journalist Piers Morgan also shared his disappointment with the officiating, voicing his frustration: "The so-called ‘best referee in the Premier League’ ruined a thrilling football match by sacrificing it to pedantic nonsense. Thanks, Mr. Oliver!"
Manchester United legend and Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville praised the match but believes the greatest challenge between the two teams is yet to come: "Without a doubt, these are the two best teams in the country. Arsenal came so close, so close to winning. Today was a big, very big battle. But the biggest one is still ahead."
Former Manchester City player and current BBC pundit Micah Richards applauded Arsenal's center-back duo, Gabriel and Saliba: “Gabriel and Saliba were incredible. To defend like that for 45 minutes in the second half against the best team in the league is remarkable. When Gabriel first joined Arsenal, he made a few mistakes, but he's changed his game to become reliable.”
Richards also criticized referee Oliver for his inconsistent decisions.
“I don't understand how, after the Rice controversy, no other players in any other game can be booked for delaying a restart. Then Doku very deliberately delays a restart without a card, and after all that, Oliver thinks it's going to be acceptable to book Trossard for it? How?”