Man City vs Arsenal: Referee who Mourinho called a disgrace to officiate decisive clash at the Etihad

Man City and Arsenal (Imago/Colorsport)

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Rico Lewis and Declan Rice duel in the reverse fixture between Man City and Arsenal (Imago/Colorsport)

Man City vs Arsenal: Referee who Mourinho called a disgrace to officiate decisive clash at the Etihad

Seye Omidiora 15:10 - 26.03.2024

The officials for Easter Sunday’s meeting between the league contenders have been unveiled.

The Premier League have, on Tuesday, revealed the officials for the imminent gameweek 30 action after the international break, and Arsenal’s visit to Manchester City is the pick of the match-ups.

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When is Man City vs Arsenal?

Gameweek 30’s meeting between Man City and Arsenal will be played on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City vs Arsenal: Head-to-head

Both clubs have met 53 times in the Premier League, with the Gunners edging their head-to-head 24-19.

Twelve of the Cityzens’ 19 victories have been in Manchester, with the remaining seven coming in North London, and the Gunners have secured 11 away victories, two shy of the 13 triumphs in the capital. There have been 10 draws in this fixture.

The recent meeting between these clubs in October 2023 saw Mikel Arteta's side edge with a deflected Gabriel Martinelli strike from outside the 18-yard area in the 86th minute.

The win at the Emirates Stadium ended Arsenal’s 12-game losing league run against Pep Guardiola’s men, with the Gunners’ previous winless run stretching to 15 matches since a 2-1 triumph in North London in December 2015.

Man City vs Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli's deflected strike beat Ederson in the reverse fixture at the Emirates in October 2023 (Imago/Colorsport)

Arsenal head into Sunday’s match keen to secure their first Premier League win at the Etihad since January 2015, a 2-0 triumph over Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Who is the referee for Man City vs Arsenal?

The referee for Sunday’s match is the highly-regarded Anthony Taylor, the first man to take charge of more than one FA Cup final since Arthur Kingscott — 1900 and 1901 — when he managed the 2017 and 2020 deciders, coincidentally won by Arsenal against Chelsea. Michael Oliver has since done likewise, refereeing the 2018 and 2021 FA Cup finals.

Anthony Taylor
Anthony Taylor will referee Man City vs Arsenal

Arsenal have a 100% record whenever Taylor has been in charge of their games this season, claiming 3-1 wins over Manchester United and Liverpool at the Emirates.

Man City have had a mixed time with Taylor refereeing their games, with the 45-year-old in charge of their 2-0 success over Nottingham Forest and a rip-roaring 4-4 draw at Chelsea, strikingly sending off Rodri in the former at the Etihad.

According to Transfermarkt, Arsenal have lost eight times in 49 games (30 wins) in which the experienced official has refereed their games, while Man City have been beaten 10 times in the 41 matches Taylor has been in charge of, securing 23 victories.

Taylor will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, with Jarred Gillett and Darren Cann acting as the VAR and Assistant VAR, respectively. Tom Bramall will be the fourth official.

Taylor is one of England's best referees, but he is remembered for his controversial officiating in AS Roma's Europa League final against Sevilla.

The English ref was called 'a disgrace' by the then Roma manager Jose Mourinho after the Italian side lost on penalties.