The Professional Game Match Officials, or PGMOL as they are more commonly known, want everyone to know that they won't tolerate refereeing mistakes.
That is why John Brooks has been replaced as the VAR official for Manchester City's trip to Arsenal, replaced by David Coote. Brooks made a big error while on VAR duty during Brighton's game with Crystal Palace, and that mistake has not been tolerated.
Removing one man for one decision makes headlines, but anyone who has watched half a dozen games this season will know that the poor standard of refereeing is not limited to one man; Coote's name may be familiar because he was the referee who recently missed a glut of potential red cards during Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Brighton including a crunching foul from Fabinho that even he expected to walk for.
Also read: How Man City should line up vs Arsenal in massive Premier League encounter
The standard of refereeing has been a collective failure this season - all of those who wrongly allowed the Bruno Fernandes goal to stand in the derby have a match this weekend - and one change will not make a difference.
What if City lose?
All the talk this week has been geared towards if City win. They can go top of the table and will really have the momentum over an Arsenal team that will have seriously wobbled.
That is all true, although what if City don't get the three points? A draw - depending on the performance - will be enough for many to still view them as favourites but defeat in North London will reinforce Arsenal's credentials as the team to beat and raise further questions about City consistency.
Haaland questions
The first question is if Erling Haaland will be fit enough to be on the pitch. Should he make it on, the Norwegian then has a few personal scores to attend to.
His assist for Ilkay Gundogan proved Haaland fits into this City team, but he is going on for nearly a month since his last goals for the club - unusual for somebody so prolific - and is also yet to score away at a Big Six club. These are all scores he can settle, but doing it on Wednesday should help City a lot.
Life on the road
Guardiola brought up the travel time to London when City were at Spurs last week, although the Blues will have to get used to life on the road.
Arsenal marks the start of five games away from home taking in Nottingham, Leipzig, Bournemouth and Bristol so it is going to be a fair old slog for the next few weeks - for the team and supporters - until they welcome Newcastle to the Etihad on March 4.
READ NEXT
