Michael Oliver made a significant error during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, one that VAR couldn’t correct.
The experienced referee was in charge of a tense and highly competitive match at the Etihad Stadium, which saw multiple contentious moments, including a red card and several player clashes.
One of the key moments of the match occurred late in the first half when Oliver sent off Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard for time-wasting.
This decision added further intensity to an already heated match, where confrontations between Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães were frequent during the second half.
However, Oliver’s biggest mistake came much earlier in the game, before Trossard’s dismissal, and involved Arsenal’s quick free-kick that led to a crucial equalizer in the 22nd minute.
The situation unfolded when Oliver had stopped play to give a warning to Manchester City defender Kyle Walker.
After speaking with Walker, the referee allowed the game to restart before the City player had the chance to return to his defensive position.
Arsenal took advantage of the unmarked space, quickly restarting play and creating an opportunity that resulted in Riccardo Calafiori scoring the equalizer.
Gabriel Martinelli, showing excellent awareness, assisted Calafiori’s goal with a well-placed pass.
While Arsenal’s quick thinking and execution were impressive, the goal was clouded by the fact that Oliver had not given Walker time to get back into his position.
This allowed Arsenal to exploit the gap in Manchester City’s defense.
Despite the controversy surrounding the restart, VAR had no authority to intervene, as there are no rules preventing a quick free-kick under such circumstances.
Since it was a regular free-kick and no clear violation occurred, VAR was unable to rectify the situation.
Earlier in the match, another notable incident occurred within seconds of kickoff when Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and City’s Rodri were involved in a physical challenge.
VAR reviewed the altercation but found no foul play or reason to intervene, allowing the game to continue without further action.
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was quick to criticize Oliver’s handling of the quick free-kick, pointing out the referee’s failure to manage the situation correctly.
He remarked, “He’s pulled him [Walker] out of position but not allowed him to get back. I would be annoyed.”
Neville’s comments highlighted the frustration Manchester City players and fans felt over the incident, especially considering how the goal shifted the momentum in Arsenal’s favor.
Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, also referenced the incident during his post-match interview.
He expressed his frustration with the game’s interruptions and how they influenced the flow of the match.
While Guardiola did not explicitly criticize Oliver, it was clear that he believed the referee’s decisions had affected the outcome.
Looking ahead, Manchester City players might be more cautious about leaving their positions for a discussion with the referee, as they could risk being caught out of position, as was the case with Walker.
This incident serves as a reminder of how even small decisions in a match can have a significant impact on the final result, especially in a high-stakes game between two top Premier League teams.