Premier League confirm controversial referee and VAR decision for Arsenal vs Man City clash

Arsenal take on Manchester City this Sunday at Emirates Stadium, with the Premier League recently confirming a big decision. Both teams secured 3-0 victories last weekend, with Pep Guardiola's squad winning the Manchester derby while the Gunners beat Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest.

The Champions League has also started this week with Arsenal beating Athletic Club at the San Mames, courtesy of goals from second-half substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

For the fourth time already this campaign, Arsenal were able to keep a clean sheet which is particularly impressive considering the fixtures they have had. Trips to Anfield and Old Trafford have already taken place and following the visit of Man City, Mikel Arteta's side take on Newcastle United at St James' Park.

As for City, they have already lost to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton - but have beaten Man United and Wolves. Considering results, the location and how both teams have performed, Arsenal are likely to be favourites over City.

Fine margins are expected to play a key role in deciding a winner though, with the on-field referee likely to be at the centre of those. The Premier League have confirmed that Stuart Atwell will have the whistle for what is likely to be the biggest clash of the weekend.

Atwell was involved in Brentford's controversial equaliser against Chelsea this past weekend, though it was more of a decision that his assistant or VAR could have made.

He will joined in north London by Constantine Hatzidakis and Nick Hopton as his linesmen while Craig Pawson has been selected as fourth official. At Stockley Park, Ian Hussin will be assisting Jarred Gillett on VAR.

The latter has not been selected to referee a game this weekend after he controversially disallowed a Cristian Romero goal in the clash between Tottenham and West Ham last weekend.

Replays showed the Micky van de Ven foul he blew for actually came as a consequence of the Tottenham man being pushed by an opposing player into Kyle Walker-Peters. Many were of the belief that VAR should have got involved, but former referee Dermot Gallagher later explained why it was not overturned.

"The referee has tunnel vision on this," he admitted on Sky Sports Ref Watch. "There's so much going on in there, and he's focused on one element. There is so much pushing.

"The problem for VAR is he's given the foul on field, and the pictures show he does. The referee really picked the wrong foul.

"There are so many incidents in that, that the referee's focus is on that rather than the larger picture.

"The VAR has done what he's been told to do. Is it a clear and obvious error? No. The referee has given the foul so that's the dilemma for the VAR. The pictures then corroborate what the referee has seen."

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