NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on November 04, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Arsenal vs PGMOL and the media: A roundup

Arsenal stand firm in the face of VAR controversies, FA inquiries, and media criticism, with Arteta unapologetic over his comments on officiating.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal lifts the FA Community Shield Trophy following the team's victory after the penalty shootout during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Referee embarrasses himself as Arsenal beat Manchester City

Wembley Stadium witnessed yet more  controversial refereeing decisions involving Arsenal and Stuart Attwell, as the Gunners beat City to lift the Community Shield.
Referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on November 03, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

How is this fair? 3 referees get 50% of Arsenal games, 1 involved in...

Martin Atkinson took charge of his sixth Arsenal game this season as the Premier League and FA continue to give this man more Arsenal matches than any other but even he couldn't stop Arsenal beating West Ham.

The man in the middle – Chris Foy

Chris Foy 'not Hoy' will take charge of Arsenal's game against West Ham at the weekend, so what can we expect?
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
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Referee Michael Oliver gestures during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on September 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Referee announced for Arsenal’s season opener against Manchester City

Michael Oliver will take charge of Unai Emery’s first competitive match as Arsenal head coach on Sunday against Manchester City.
LUTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, celebrates after Declan Rice of Arsenal (not pictured) scores the team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Arsenal FC at Kenilworth Road on December 05, 2023 in Luton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta banned for Aston Villa after Rice goal celebrations

Mikel Arteta faces a touchline ban following his celebration of Arsenal's dramatic late winner against Luton Town in a thrilling Premier League match.

Look: Diego Costa scratches Gabriel

After a scuff with Chelsea striker Diego Costa shortly before half-time, Arsenal defender Gabriel was sent off on Saturday afternoon. The game had been fairly even,...
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?

The man in the middle – Robert Madley review

Robert Madley took charge of Arsenal's emphatic last day win over West Brom at the Emirates. The 29-year-old was taking charge of only his fourth...

Wenger offers take on new offside laws

Arsène Wenger has has his say on the new offside laws, after Liverpool had a goal wrongly allowed to clinch a 1-0 win against...
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Sky Sports Presenter, Gary Neville looks on during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at City Ground on March 17, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Gary Neville blames Arsenal and Liverpool for Forest PGMOL complaint

Gary Neville criticises Arsenal and Liverpool for influencing Nottingham Forest's PGMOL complaint over Ivan Toney's contentious goal.
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.

Will Arsenal get any love from the referee against Manchester United?

Craig Pawson will take charge of Manchester United v Arsenal on Sunday, so what are Arsenal likely to get from the young referee? At just...

The man in the middle – Crystal Palace v Arsenal referee preview

Ahead of Arsenal's game against Crystal Palace in the Premier League, we take a look at the referee who will be in charge,
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal speaks to referee Martin Atkinson during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Martin Atkinson’s already awful accuracy takes massive hit during Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Martin Atkinson went into Arsenal's game against Crystal Palace with a key decision accuracy rate of 40% for the season and ended up reducing that to 36% by the end of the match.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Match Referee, David Coote reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Brighton & Hove Albion at Turf Moor on August 14, 2021 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Awful VAR ref in charge of Brentford vs Arsenal

Arsenal return to action this weekend with a trip to Brentford for a 12pm kick-off on Sunday, so which officials have been charged with messing things 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)

No VAR for Arsenal plus they get Mike Dean for Portsmouth game

For the seventh time this season, Mike Dean will be involved with an Arsenal match, this time taking charge of our FA Cup tie at Portsmouth on Monday night.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Kai Havertz of Arsenal clashes with Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mike Dean suggests potential rule change after Arsenal’s disallowed goal

Former referee Mike Dean discusses the need for a rule change following a disallowed goal in Arsenal's game against Aston Villa, highlighting the handball law's inconsistencies.
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.
The scoreboard displays the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) decision disallowing Arsenal's third goal by Arsenal's Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 27, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)

Mark Clattenburg: Both VAR calls wrong during Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

Former Premier League Mark Clattenburg has said that both VAR decisions at the Emirates were wrong.

Michael Oliver appointed referee for north London derby

The north London derby is on the horizon, and Michael Oliver has been appointed the referee. Despite some fond memories with him in the middle,...

Özil ‘offside’ proved officials still aren’t using VAR properly

Arsenal won 4-0 against Newcastle United on Sunday, but that shouldn't stop us drawing attention to a terrible offside decision against Mesut Özil in the second half.
Fourth Official Craig Pawson talks to assistant referee and linesman Assistant Referee Constantine Hatzidakis during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 9, 2023.(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Why FA are right not to punish official after Liverpool v Arsenal

Assistant Referee Constantine Hatzidakis faces no action after an alleged elbow on Liverpool's Andy Robertson during a match against Arsenal and that is the right call.

The man in the middle – Brighton v Arsenal

I guess the biggest compliment I can pay Michael Oliver is that when I hear his name I don’t immediately want to smash things. That’s...

The man in the middle – Mike Jones review

Mike Jones isn't a great referee but thankfully he didn't have much chance to mess up as Arsenal won at Newcastle.
Mike Dean books Shkodran Mustafi

Do Arsenal get more cards per foul – the stats

Sometimes, it feels like Arsenal don’t have to do much to pick up a card from the referee while opponents can murder at will with impunity, but is that tue?
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.

5th best referee in charge of Leicester vs Arsenal

Arsenal get another new ref for their trip to Leicester, not that it will make any difference when Brendan Rodger's men take on Unai Emery's.

The man in the middle – Robert Madley

Robert Madley will take charge of Arsenal's final league game of the season against West Brom. If you're anything like us you're probably going 'who?'...

Newcastle manager fined for speaking the truth

Rafa Benitez has been fined £60,000 for his comments about Andre Marriner before Newcastle’s game against Crystal Palace despite simply stating a fact.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Referee Mike Dean in action on his 500th Premier League match during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Mike Dean robbed Arsenal in October against Sheffield United too

When Arsenal played Sheffield United back in October, 76% of fans believed Mike Dean robbed us of a penalty, something he did again when the sides met this weekend.
Martin Atkinson

Arsenal to get no love from referee against West Ham

Martin Atkinson takes charge of Arsenal's game against West Ham, so what can both sides expect from one of PGMOL’s finest?
Mark Clattenburg and Alexis Sanchez

Cards aplenty in last 15 – Arsenal v Hull referee preview

Mark Clattenburg will be in charge of Arsenal’s game against Hull so what can both sides expect from the star ref?
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,...

Arsenal v Stoke – The man in the middle

Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Stoke on Sunday, we look at the man charged with refereeing the game. Referee: Jonathan Moss Assistants: R West, A Halliday Fourth...
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.
The Big screen shows the VAR check for a possible offside during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Etihad Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

Daily Mail claim clubs NOT PGMOL at fault for VAR farce

The Daily Mail today reported that PGMOL are not responsible for the fact that referees do not use pitchside monitors because that was the decision of Premier League clubs in at least four meetings.

Atkinson will referee Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash

Arsenal are having a nightmare time with referees at the moment, and it appears Martin Atkinson is the match official who will be braving Wednesday's meeting with Chelsea.
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