In a tense match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City and Arsenal ended in a 2-2 draw, with referee Michael Oliver becoming a focal point of controversy.
A significant point of discussion was his decision to issue a red card to Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, which left the Gunners with 10 players for the second half. However, it was an earlier mistake that attracted considerable criticism.
This occurred in the 22nd minute, just before Riccardo Calafiori equalized for Arsenal. At that moment, Oliver had summoned Manchester City’s Kyle Walker to the center of the pitch to give him a warning. Yet, Oliver resumed play before Walker could return to his defensive role, giving Arsenal an advantage.
The Gunners quickly took advantage, with Gabriel Martinelli advancing the ball and setting up Calafiori, who scored with a well-placed shot.
While Arsenal capitalized on this moment, many, including Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, criticized Oliver for restarting play while Walker was out of position. Referees typically ensure all players are properly positioned before resuming play, particularly after issuing warnings.
Walker had been pulled about 45 yards from his position, leaving Manchester City exposed. Oliver could have taken a moment to ensure the City defense was ready before restarting the match, but his hasty decision ultimately benefited Arsenal.
Crucially, since the incident involved a free kick rather than a rules violation, VAR was unable to intervene. VAR can only review specific situations such as goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity, meaning Oliver’s controversial call went unchallenged.
In addition to this incident, there were other VAR moments, including a strange collision between City’s Rodri and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz shortly after the game began. VAR reviewed this but found no foul, allowing play to continue.
Gary Neville remarked on Oliver’s handling of the quick free kick, noting it disadvantaged Manchester City, saying, “He’s pulled him [Walker] out of position but not allowed him to get back. I would be annoyed.” His comments echoed the sentiments of City manager Pep Guardiola, who mentioned the incident in his post-match interview, suggesting it contributed to a loss of focus for his team.
Guardiola stated, “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.” This moment left City players and fans feeling frustrated, igniting discussions about referee management in such situations.
Looking ahead, City players may be more cautious about stepping away from their positions to speak with referees, concerned about a repeat of this scenario in future matches.