Michael Oliver faced the difficult challenge of officiating a fast-paced and contentious match on Sunday, where Manchester City and Arsenal ended in a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium. The 39-year-old referee dealt with numerous heated moments, including issuing a second yellow card to Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard just before halftime for kicking the ball away. The second half saw even more aggressive confrontations, especially between Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães.
While Oliver managed several tense situations effectively, one particular decision sparked criticism and could not be reviewed by VAR.
A significant moment occurred in the first half, prior to Trossard’s red card. Oliver permitted Arsenal to take a quick free-kick, resulting in Riccardo Calafiori’s equalizer in the 22nd minute. This incident unfolded after Oliver had called Manchester City’s Kyle Walker over for a warning, while Walker was away from his defensive position, about 45 yards from where he usually stood. Instead of waiting for Walker to return, Oliver quickly signaled for the game to continue. Arsenal seized the opportunity, with Gabriel Martinelli assisting Calafiori for a well-placed curling shot, marking the latter’s first goal for the club.
Although Arsenal’s quick action was commendable, Oliver’s rapid decision to restart play was questionable. After pulling Walker out of position for a discussion, it would have been fair to allow him a moment to regain his spot. This led to criticism, as the decision appeared to unfairly disadvantage City’s defense at a crucial time.
Despite the uproar, the quick free-kick was within the rules, meaning VAR could not step in. The technology is limited to specific incidents like goals, penalties, and red cards, so it was unable to address the timing of the restart.
Another notable incident occurred just four seconds into the match when Arsenal’s Kai Havertz collided with City’s Rodri. VAR reviewed this but found no foul, allowing play to continue.
Commentators, including Gary Neville, highlighted Oliver’s handling of the Walker situation. During his live commentary for Sky Sports, Neville noted, “He’s pulled him out of position but not allowed him to get back. I would be annoyed.” This sentiment echoed the frustration of some regarding the management of the incident.
The issue continued to be a topic of discussion after the match, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola referencing it in his post-game comments. He praised his team’s resilience, stating, “I admire my team. My team started well after interruptions for many things, and after the first goal (with) the referee asking the captains (Walker and Bukayo Saka) to talk.” His remarks subtly pointed to the disruption caused by the referee’s actions and their impact on City’s flow.
Moving forward, Manchester City players may be more cautious when engaging in extended discussions with the referee, particularly when those conversations might expose them to quick restarts. This incident underscores how minor decisions can significantly affect high-stakes matches.
