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Arsenal fans will be furious to learn that the Premier League have announced that Stuart Attwell will be taking charge of this weekend's match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.
Attwell's dire performance in the 2023 match away at Newcastle provoked one of the biggest reactions to a referee in Arsenal's recent history. Subsequently, Attwell has not taken charge of an Arsenal match since.
Newcastle's winning goal should have been ruled out and Bruno Guimarães should have been sent off for violent conduct. In fairness, Kai Havertz should also have seen red for the Gunners.
Bruno Guimarães should have seen red
Let's deal with the Guimarães incident first. It happened during added time at the end of the first half. Arsenal midfielder, Jorginho had just released a pass with Guimarães closing in on him from behind. The Brazilian slammed a forearm purposefully into the back of Jorginho's head.
This looked a deliberate action and one that Guimarães should have seen red for. As angry as Arsenal fans were with the Newcastle midfielder, they were far angrier with the lack of action from the referee.
Stuart Attwell did not even brandish a yellow card for the incident let alone a red one. There was no VAR check and no explanation given.
Triple VAR check fails to rule illegitimate goal out
Worse was to follow for Arsenal when Anthony Gordon's winning goal was given despite a triple VAR check. In the first of it's kind, VAR checked three separate incidents in the build up to Newcastle's winner.
First, the ball was deemed to be in play when it looked like it had already gone out. Second, there was a clear push by Joelinton on Gabriel on the goalline which should have seen the goal ruled out. Finally, Gordon scored from an offside position.
Mikel Arteta was charged by the FA for his comments after the match. He was alleged to have brought the game into disrepute but the charge was later dropped.
It is unlikely that Attwell will get a warm welcome at the Emirates on Sunday. The PGMOL may have saved the youngest man to referee in the Premier League from the wrath of Arsenal fans for a while but fans do not easily forget these things.
Attwell will be assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis and Nick Hopton, with Craig Pawson as the fourth official. Jarred Gillett will be on VAR, with Ian Hussin as the assistant VAR.