Anthony Taylor is set to take charge of the huge Premier League title clash between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Mikel Arteta has already made his feelings about the Premier League referee clear after clashing with the official numerous times this season.
Taylor is somewhat of a good omen for the Gunners after having refereed them on four occasions this term - with Arteta's side winning each of those fixtures. Despite the good record when he has refereed Arsenal matches, Arteta took issue with some of Taylor's decisions during their 4-2 win away against Brighton back in December.
Taylor is regarded as one of the Premier League's top referees, but the standard of officiating has been called into question after a weekend of poor decision-making by on-field officials and VAR. Taylor booked Arteta for his touchline antics during their dramatic win against Manchester United last month, weeks after the Spaniard was left smiling at some of the questionable decisions made by the referee in the win against the Seagulls.
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Arsenal were on the wrong side of a VAR decision once again at the weekend after Ivan Toney's equaliser for Brentford failed to be ruled out for a clear offside after Lee Mason forgot to draw the lines when using the video assistant referee technology. Bees' midfielder Christian Norgaard, who assisted Toney, was offside - a blunder that resulted in the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) contacting Arsenal and explaining the significant error.
Arteta was left incensed by the decision and it is clear that the Spaniard lets his frustrations get the better of him on the touchline at times. During the win against United at the Emirates Stadium which saw Arteta be booked by Taylor for his antics, Martin Tyler, who was commentating on Sky Sports, said at the time: "Well, two weeks ago I can tell you that there was a meeting. I think at St George’s Park, amongst officials, about dugout behaviour by managers.
His Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville has also accused Arteta's touchline actions, which often see him venturing out of his technical area, of going too far at times. "I think he's right Anthony Taylor. He has been singled out over the last couple of weeks, Mikel Arteta," he added.
"It's just a basic foul. There's nothing in it really. Shaw tries to get in front, Saka does well.
"It is a foul, no problem, just move on with the game. He makes it look like he's two-footed him.
"I was here for the Newcastle game and he was at it all game, Mikel Arteta, but on some occasions, it wasn’t called for. He charged about 15 yards down the touchline towards the official, which is why he was shown a yellow card."
Arsenal have picked up just one point from their last two fixtures which has allowed Manchester City to move within three points of the top spot in the table ahead of their huge clash on Wednesday. The Gunners could find themselves level on points with City by Thursday but behind of goal difference as the title race heats up.
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