Arsenal’s match at Chelsea will be refereed by Michael Oliver while nobody’s favourite, Jarred Gillett, will once again be on VAR for an Arsenal match.
I assume PGMOL think that Jarred Gillett is the best VAR operator that they have because he keeps getting all the big matches, despite consistently proving he is not very good at all.
Michael Oliver, along with Anthony Taylor, is seen as one of the top refs in the Premier League, pointing squarely at the dearth of talent they have managed to nurture under the referee’s governing body.
Oliver was in charge of Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates earlier this season while he was also on VAR for the win over Fulham. Against Leeds, Oliver was fourth official.
You might also remember that it was Oliver who sent Gabriel Martinelli off for two yellow card offences in quick succession without informing him that he was being given a first yellow.
As for Gillett, the Mike Dean of TV watching, he was VAR for the game against Tottenham while he was referee for the Fulham game that Oliver was on VAR for.
Last season, by February, Oliver had been involved as referee or VAR for almost 40% of Arsenal’s matches.
Oliver has taken charge of one Chelsea match this season – their 2-1 defeat at Southampton – where he booked two Saints players and one of their.