Arsenal vs Wolves: Michael Oliver, red cards, and a referee under scrutiny

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When Arsenal travel to Molineux on Saturday for a 3pm kickoff against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Michael Oliver will be the man in charge.

For many Arsenal fans, the appointment of Oliver will stir angry feelings, as his history officiating Arsenal games has often been a source of frustration.

A referee with Arsenal controversy in his past

One of the most infamous moments in Oliver’s career involving Arsenal came in February 2022 when he sent off Gabriel Martinelli in bizarre fashion against Wolves.

In an unprecedented decision, Oliver brandished two yellow cards in quick succession during a single phase of play, reducing Arsenal to 10 men and sparking outrage among fans and pundits alike. The decision was widely criticised for its harshness, with many suggesting that common sense should have prevailed.

Despite the red card, Arsenal held on for a 1-0 win that day, but the bitterness over the incident lingers.

More recently, in September 2024, Oliver drew Arsenal’s ire again when he sent off Leandro Trossard during the Gunners’ clash with Manchester City.

Trossard’s dismissal for kicking the ball away on the stoke of halftime raised questions over the consistency of officiating, particularly when similar incidents involving City players went unpunished in the same match.

Even Pep Guardiola admitted after the game that Arsenal were “unlucky” with some of the refereeing decisions in the 1-1 draw. The fallout saw widespread criticism of Oliver’s performance, including from Arsenal supporters and neutral observers alike.

This, of course, is far from an exhaustive list of Oliver’s problematic performances.

Oliver has only refereed Liverpool more than he has Arsenal (57 v 54), but has flashed 96 yellows at Arsenal players to 83 given to Liverpool.

Astonishingly, he has sent off seven Arsenal players during those games – more than any other side he has been in charge of – and only one Liverpool.

He has sent off four players against Arsenal and five against Liverpool.

He has never sent off a Manchester City player, despite refereeing them 50 times.

Arsenal’s dominance over Wolves and a high-stakes encounter

While Oliver’s appointment may unsettle Arsenal fans, the Gunners’ record against Wolves offers plenty of optimism. Arsenal have won their last seven Premier League meetings with Wolves and haven’t lost to them since the 2020-21 campaign.

In fact, Arsenal have scored in each of their last 34 meetings with Wolves in all competitions, a streak stretching back to February 1979.

On the road, Arsenal boast an impressive record at Molineux, winning eight of their 10 Premier League away games against Wolves (L2). This 80% win rate is Arsenal’s highest against any side they’ve faced more than five times away from home in the Premier League.

For Wolves, the odds are stacked against them. They have lost 18 of their last 20 Premier League games against sides in the top two of the table.

Match preview and stakes

Arsenal enter the game in strong form, buoyed by their 3-0 Champions League win over GNK Dinamo Zagreb midweek.

Goals from Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Martin Ødegaard demonstrated their increasing attacking firepower, but injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Myles Lewis-Skelly remain a concern.

Ben White, still recovering from knee surgery, is not expected to return until February, further highlighting Arsenal’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Wolves, on the other hand, find themselves struggling against top-tier teams. However, their ability to trouble stronger sides means Arsenal cannot afford to be complacent. Wolves will be looking to exploit any inconsistency in Arsenal’s backline, especially if Saliba remains unavailable.

Refereeing consistency under the microscope

Oliver’s appointment comes amid wider conversations about officiating standards in the Premier League. His decisions in Arsenal games have frequently been polarising, from his handling of Riccardo Calafiori’s controversial yellow card earlier this season to his involvement in Arsenal’s clashes with City and Wolves.

Howard Webb, the head of the PGMOL, has previously acknowledged inconsistencies in officiating big games, citing the Arsenal-Manchester City match in October 2023 as an example. Mark Clattenburg also weighed in, calling for better accountability among referees after questions were raised about Oliver’s handling of key incidents in Arsenal matches.

For Arsenal fans, the hope will be that Oliver’s presence on Saturday does not become the main story once again. After all, with their impressive form against Wolves and a strong away record at Molineux, the Gunners have every reason to believe they can extend their dominance—provided the officiating is fair and consistent.