LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Referee Craig Pawson during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on August 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mixed bag of officials for Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth as Mike Dean says ‘I...

Craig Pawson will take charge of Arsenal's game against Bournemouth on Saturday and he will be 'assisted' by Paul Tierney on VAR.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Referee Mike Dean looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mike Dean U-turn keeps him in refereeing

Mike Dean was expected to leave refereeing when he retired at the end of the season but there has been a U-turn somewhere and he will now take up a new job in refereeing.
English referee Jonathan Moss (C) is surrounded by Arsenal players appealing for a handball decision during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 19, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal booked for fewer fouls than everybody except Watford

If you think that referees are quicker to book Arsenal players than any other side, I'm here to tell you that you aren't paranoid because it's (almost) true.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Referee Martin Atkinson is seen prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Martin Atkinson and Jon Moss to retire with Mike Dean

We all know that Mike Dean is set to retire at the end of the season and he will be joined by Martin Atkinson and Jon Moss.
Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (C) is fouled for a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 12, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Mark Clattenburg wouldn’t have given ‘defining’ Tottenham penalty

Former referee, Mark Clattenburg, says that he wouldn't have given Spurs the penalty Paul Tierney awarded on Thursday night and pondered why we never see that sort of thing given in other games.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 10, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Stats say discipline not Arsenal’s (main) problem despite red cards

Arsenal apparently have a discipline problem but, with the stats telling a very different picture, what's really going on?
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 10, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Was the Gabriel Martinelli red card wrong?

The Gabriel Martinelli red card was the15th under Mikel Arteta yet, once again, we are sitting here wondering why you never see red cards like that for anyone other teams.
Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli (R) walks off having been shown two yellow cards in quick succession by English referee Michael Oliver during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 10, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Clattenburg: 1 yellow would have been fairer for Martinelli

Mark Clattenburg has said that Michael Oliver got it right and wrong against Arsenal as he continues to be one of only a few former refs prepared to defend Arsenal.
Referee Michael Oliver gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 2, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)

Michael Oliver Arsenal ref or VAR nearly 40% of Premier League games

In total, there are 24 Premier League refs in play this season and Arsenal have seen 12 of them take charge of their games, although Michael Oliver has been handed five matches, twice as many as the next refs on the list with two: Stuart Attwell, Mike Dean, Martin Atkinson, Anthony Taylor, and Craig Pawson.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Referee Stuart Attwell during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal blunder ref on shortlist for Qatar World Cup

Stuart Attwell has been involved in some of the most controversial decisions this season and his reward is to be one of three officials from the Premier League to be considered for World Cup action in Qatar.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal is shown a second yellow card leading to a red card by Referee, Stuart Attwell for a foul on Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images)

Arsenal fined £20,000, Attwell gets 2 games this weekend

Arsenal have been fined £20,000 for being annoyed that Gabriel was sent off against Manchester City.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks dejected following their side's defeat in the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on November 20, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Referee for Arsenal vs Liverpool announced

The referee for the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates on 6 January has been announced and it is the official Arsenal have had more than any other this season.
Arsenal's English defender Rob Holding (L) is shown a yellow card during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

17 times Arsenal fans have raged at woeful referee decisions

Arsenal fans were rightly furious after major referring decisions went against them once again against Manchester City, and a look back through the archives...
Referee Stuart Attwell (R) checks VAR and awards a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 1, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / IKIMAGES / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal first to 100 red card milestone despite being spineless softies

Arsenal became the first side the in the Premier League era to reach 100 red cards when Gabriel was sent off against Manchester City on New Year's Day, but how can that be when they've been largely criticised for being too soft?
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Danny Rose of Tottenham Hotspur speaks with referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Which referee gives the most penalties against Arsenal?

Ask any Arsenal fan and they will tell you that referees are quick to give penalties against them but not so quick to give a spot-kick to the Gunners, so is this true and who gives the most penalties against Arsenal?
Mike Dean

25% of all Mike Dean’s matches involve Arsenal or Manchester United

Mike Dean has been in charge of 63 Arsenal Premier League games, far more than any other official in the history of the league, but he's refereed even more Manchester United games.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal breaks past Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta baffled over Mike Dean decision

Mikel Arteta says that he does not understand how James McCarthy was able to remain on the pitch after the Crystal Palace player hacked Bukayo Saka down with zero intention of playing the ball.
Manchester, England, 28th August 2021. Granit Xhaka of Arsenal is shown a red card by referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture credit should read: Darren Staples / Sportimage

Referee defends Laporte punching Chambers: “Contact is part of football”

Former referee Chris Foy has used his Mail on Sunday column to defend Calum Chambers being punched in the face in the lead up to Manchester City's second goal.
Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League - Etihad Stadium Arsenals Granit Xhaka walks past manager Mikel Arteta after being sent off during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday August 28, 2021. Copyright: Nick Potts

Mikel Arteta hits out at referee after Granit Xhaka red card

Mikel Arteta has said that he is 'angry' about Granit Xhaka's red card because of similar challenges not being punished in that way against Arsenal.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Match Referee, Chris Kavanagh checks a VAR decision on screen ahead of showing Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal (not pictured) a red card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Minus 7 – Arsenal suffer most at hands of VAR overturns in Premier League

You aren't imagining it if you think Arsenal are getting the worst of VAR, with ESPN totalling decisions to find Arsenal clear at the bottom of the table.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal talks to Referee, Chris Kavanagh after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on February 06, 2021 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)

Arsenal only side to commit under 300 fouls this season

Arsenal have committed fewer fouls than any other side in the league, not that that is reflected in their card record.
Referee Stuart Attwell views a VAR screen after Leeds United's Liam Cooper fouled Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 14, 2021. (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

VAR decisions against Arsenal this season

VAR decisions against Arsenal have been a common theme with the one against Burnley just the latest in a long line of bad decisions this season.

Referee says Harry Kane was reckless against Arsenal

Mark Clattenburg said Arsenal's penalty was right to stand and action should have been taken against Harry Kane for his dangerous barge on Gabriel.

Referee announced for Arsenal vs Tottenham

Michael Oliver will referee Arsenal's upcoming North London derby match against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
Arsenal penalty decision Chris Foy in the Mail on Sunday, March 7 2021

Chris Foy says Arsenal penalty decision right despite the laws

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Chris Foy became one of only a handful of people to say that the Arsenal penalty decision was correct, despite what the law actually says
Burnley handball not given as an Arsenal penalty

VAR robs Arsenal again as rules state it was a penalty

Arsenal could only muster a 1-1 draw against Burnley thanks, as usual, to their own stupidity and the VAR rules that only apply to Arsenal.
Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe is fouled, just outside the penalty area after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review during the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Arsenal at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on February 28, 2021. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP)

Leicester 15 fouls, 2 yellows, Arsenal 3 fouls, 1 yellow

Against Leicester, Arsenal once again found that their opponents can foul with relative impunity while the Gunners are punished almost immediately.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Referee, Stuart Attwell gestures during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal get 21.7% of VAR decisions overturned compared to Premier League average

Arsenal fans know this hasn't been a great season for VAR decisions overturned in their favour, but it's probably worse than they thought.
Refree David Coote warms up before the English Premier League football match between Sheffield United and Everton at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on December 26, 2020. (Photo by Alex Pantling / POOL / AFP)

5 defeats in 7: Arsenal’s worst officials this season

Arsenal's best and worst referee revealed! Arsenal fans were are wondering just what they have to do to get a fair shake from match officials
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal talks to Referee, Chris Kavanagh after the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park on February 06, 2021 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Nick Potts - Pool/Getty Images)

Referee does it again to Arsenal

Chris Kavanagh delivered another refereeing horror show as Arsenal lost to Aston Villa as more bad decisions go against the Gunners.
Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz waits for a red card decision during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

Why Arsenal’s red card appeal was denied but Southampton’s wasn’t

There seems to be a lot of confusion around the law in the Premier League and that's making David Luiz's red card even more ridiculous.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Referee Martin Atkinson is seen prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Unbelievable ref selected for Arsenal’s game at Tottenham

While this season has been pretty painful, we have at least been able to relax knowing Martin Atkinson hasn't been involved, in any capacity,...
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal appeals to referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Community Stadium on June 20, 2020 in Brighton, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Horror referee gets 1st Arsenal game of the season for Aston Villa

We've had to wait until November, but Martin Atkinson has finally been selected to referee an Arsenal match this season and that's not good news
Referee Andre Marriner reacts during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 30, 2019. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

VAR for Arsenal vs Sheffield United same as for Liverpool defeat

Andre Marriner will be the VAR against Sheffield United at the Emirates on Sunday, his second Arsenal match in a row
Arsenal BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Match Referee Craig Pawson is seen adjusting his hearing device ahead of the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC at Vitality Stadium on July 19, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Officials announced for Liverpool vs Arsenal

Craig Pawson will take charge of Arsenal's trip to Liverpool this weekend in for their Premier League fixture.
Referee Michael Oliver gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 2, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)

Arsenal get a rare referee for game vs West Ham, thankfully!

Michael Oliver will take charge of Arsenal's game against West Ham on Saturday, a referee we thankfully rarely see can we rarely win.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Referee Martin Atkinson is seen prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Arsenal get battered by referees, Liverpool and Leicester don’t: The stats

You can argue all you like, but Arsenal got screwed all season by referees and here are the stats to back that up.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Referee Mike Dean reacts during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Watford FC at Vitality Stadium on January 12, 2020 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Mike Dean’s Arsenal penalty face is season highlight for fans (with goals)

Mike Dean's face might well go down as one of the highlights of this awful Arsenal season, but having to wait until the end of July for it was almost worth everything else we had to go through.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta: If Nketiah’s is a red so is Jamie Vardy’s

Arsenal picked up just a point against Leicester as they struggled to hold onto their 1-0 lead after Eddie Nketiah was sent off, but why did Jamie Vardy get away with kicking Mustafi in the head?
Daily Cannon Arsenal podcast

Episode 244: Can Arsenal go back in to lockdown please?

Matthew is joined by Anita to pick over the bones of disasters away at Man City and Brighton, the impact of injuries and recent Covid-19 news, and ask who has the right mentality for a massive club.