Andre Marriner will take charge of Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Sunday, so what can both sides expect from the official?
- Marriner has issued 118 yellows and 6 reds this season
- Only Stuart Atwell has issued more reds (7)
- Arsenal tend to win more than they lose under Marriner
- Marriner is averaging two incorrect important decisions per game this season
- Overall, he is a decent ref when compared to most others
No matter what else Andre Marriner does with his life, Arsenal fans will always remember him for mixing up Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, sending off the wrong player.
This season, he’s taken charge of three Arsenal games, and one of those was the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. You might remember that match as the one Matteo Darmian was allowed to foul with impunity. Yellow card fouls and a studs-up challenge all were punished inadequately (if at all) while Wayne Rooney was not booked for dissent when already on a yellow.
In addition to the draw against United, Marriner was also in charge when Arsenal beat Palace 2-0 at and lost 2-1 to Watford at the Emirates. Neither of those results were influenced by Marriner, although he did allow Watford a lot of leniency for persistent niggly fouls.
Marriner is a ref who doesn’t like to issue cards but due to his lax approach ends up having to issue quite a few.
In the three Arsenal games he’s been in charge of we’ve seen 14 yellows given out, with them split equally between Arsenal and our opposition. He’s booked Alexis in two of those three games.
As for City under Marriner, this will his fifth game this season.
He was the man in the middle for their 3-1 win over West Ham, both games against Tottenham, and their 2-1 win at Burnley. He has booked nine City players and 11 of their opposition.
Arsenal v Manchester City officials
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: Simon Beck, Richard West
Fourth official: Craig Pawson