In a highly charged match between Manchester City and Arsenal that ended in a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, referee Michael Oliver found himself at the center of controversy.
One of the key talking points came from his decision to issue a red card to Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, leaving the Gunners down to 10 men for the second half.
While this decision drew attention, it was Oliver’s earlier mistake that garnered widespread criticism.
The incident in question occurred in the 22nd minute, just before Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori equalized to make it 1-1.
At that moment, Oliver had called Manchester City defender Kyle Walker to the center of the pitch to issue a warning.
However, Oliver resumed play before Walker could return to his defensive position, giving Arsenal the advantage.
The Gunners seized the opportunity, with Gabriel Martinelli quickly moving the ball forward, setting up Calafiori, who curled in an impressive shot to level the score.
While Arsenal capitalized on their quick thinking, many, including Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville, questioned Oliver’s decision to restart play while Walker was out of position.
Referees generally ensure that players are in their proper places before resuming play, especially after stopping the match to issue a warning.
In this case, Walker had been drawn about 45 yards from his defensive position, leaving Manchester City vulnerable.
Oliver could have delayed the free kick for a few seconds to ensure the City defense was set, but instead, his quick decision ended up favoring Arsenal.
Importantly, since the situation involved a free kick and not a breach of the rules, VAR had no authority to intervene.
VAR is limited to reviewing specific incidents such as goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity, meaning Oliver’s controversial decision stood unchallenged.
Aside from this incident, the match saw other moments involving VAR, including a peculiar collision between City’s Rodri and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz just seconds after kickoff.
VAR reviewed the incident but determined no foul had occurred, allowing the game to continue.
Gary Neville, reflecting on Oliver’s handling of the quick free kick, commented on how the decision disadvantaged Manchester City, stating, “He’s pulled him [Walker] out of position but not allowed him to get back.
I would be annoyed.” Neville’s remarks mirrored the frustration of City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, who referenced the moment in his post-match interview, suggesting that the interruption contributed to City’s loss of focus.
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.”
The incident left City players and fans frustrated, sparking debate about how referees manage such situations.
Moving forward, City players might be more cautious about stepping far from their positions for discussions with referees, fearing a repeat of the same issue in future matches.
