UEFA finally make a decision that plays into Arsenal’s hand

Arsenal are now just five wins away from the most successful season of the club's entire history. After Manchester City's chaotic 3-3 draw with Everton on Monday night, victories over West Ham, Burnley and then Crystal Palace will end the Gunners' 24 year wait to be Premier League champions. Meantime, a place in Budapest is up for grabs. Last Wednesday's draw at the Metropolitano means it is winner takes all when Atlético Madrid visit North London for a spot in the Champions League Final.

The first leg in the Spanish capital were dominated by referee decisions, but could the choice of referee for the return fixture be good news for Arsenal? Six nights ago, Danny Makkelie awarded both teams a penalty, before pointing to the spot for a third time after Eberechi Eze was clearly fouled by Dávid Hancko, only to inexplicably overturn his decision after looking at the VAR screen 13 times. Clear and obvious apparently...

In charge of the second leg will be German referee Daniel Siebert. He has been a Bundesliga official since 2012, and FIFA listed for 11 years. Well, Gooners of a superstitious disposition may like to learn Siebert's record when in charge of both Arsenal and Atleti matches.

Daniel Siebert's previous Arsenal matches

Tue 7 April 26: Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal - 1 yellow card shown to Morita of Sporting.

Wed 22 Jan 25: Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb - 4 yellows, booking Timber & Sterling.

Tue 11 March 21: Olympiacos 1-3 Arsenal - 3 yellow cards, booked Gabriel.

Daniel Siebert's previous Atlético Madrid

Wed 18 March 26: Tottenham 3-2 Atlético Madrid - 7 yellow cards, 3 to Atleti players.

Wed 13 April 22: Atlético Madrid 0-0 Man City - 8 yellow cards & Felipe sent off.

Tue 19 October 21: Atlético Madrid 2-3 Liverpool - 4 yellows & Antoine Griezmann sent off.

Note: All statistics courtesy of SoccerBase.

Siebert has previously officiated both clubs on three occasions, with mixed fortunes for the pair. Arsenal have won all three previous fixtures when the German has been the man in the middle, including last month's last gasp 1-0 victory over Sporting at Estádio José Alvalade.

On the flip side, Atlético Madrid have never won a match with Siebert as the centre official. This will be his fourth los Colchoneros assignment, all of which have been against Premier League opposition. Back in October 2021, Antoine Griezmann was sent off as Liverpool won in the Spanish capital.

Later that season, Siebert oversaw a fiery goalless draw as Manchester City prevailed on aggregate at the Metropolitano, brandishing eight cautions and dismissing Felipe Monteiro. This season, the German took charge of Atleti's very recent trip to North London, with Diego Simeone's side beaten 3-2 on the night, but comfortably ousting Tottenham overall. Matteo Ruggeri, Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sørloth were all cautioned in N17.

So, does any of this make a difference? Well, it shouldn't. Referees should not have any preconceived ideas going into a match, making every decision in isolation. But we all know that is not how humans work. Atleti have caused Siebert a few issues in the past, so perhaps he will be less lenient towards them. Let's hope, by the end of the game, no one is talking about the referee or VAR, albeit every potential marginal gain can only help Arsenal.

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