Which team does Anthony Taylor support? Man City vs Arsenal ref's favourite club confirmed

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Anthony Taylor has been confirmed as the referee for Man City vs Arsenal - but who does the Premier League official support?

Anthony Taylor is the referee for Man City's clash with Arsenal(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)

Who Man City vs Arsenal referee Anthony Taylor supports

1. The appointment: PGMOL has confirmed that Anthony Taylor will officiate what is arguably the biggest game of the season. Taylor ranks among the most seasoned referees in the Premier League, having spent 16 years overseeing matches in the top flight.
2. Taylor's supported club: Despite being from Wythenshawe, Taylor has been a lifelong fan of nearby Altrincham. This has been reaffirmed by former referee Graham Scott, who noted in The Athletic that Taylor has held a season ticket at Moss Lane for many years and regularly attends the National League club's fixtures whenever his refereeing commitments permit.
3. The "Manchester" controversy: Due to Taylor's Greater Manchester roots, his selection for matches involving Manchester City or Manchester United frequently attracts scrutiny from opposing fanbases. However, his declared loyalty to a non-league club absolves him of any conflict of interest under current PGMOL guidelines, with Scott maintaining he has no connections to United or City.
4. Disclosure rules explained: Professional referees are required to declare their club allegiances to PGMOL at the outset of their careers and update them where necessary. They are strictly forbidden from officiating games involving the club they support, or matches featuring that club's closest rivals, in order to guarantee full impartiality and shield the referee from undue pressure.
5. Man City vs Arsenal: This fixture is being touted as a "winner-takes-all" showdown. Arsenal currently hold a six-point advantage over City at the summit of the table - however, given City's game in hand over the Gunners, a victory on Sunday would swing the momentum firmly in their favour.
6. Recent meeting: City will arrive brimming with confidence after comprehensively dismantling Arsenal in last month's Carabao Cup final. A brace from Nico O'Reilly secured a 2-0 triumph for Pep Guardiola's side at Wembley, prolonging Arsenal's six-year major trophy drought.
7. Contrasting form: The Gunners have been faltering in recent weeks, suffering three defeats in their last five matches across all competitions. City, by contrast, are in superb shape, having thrashed both Liverpool and Chelsea this month.
8. Taylor's history in the fixture: Taylor is well acquainted with this particular match-up, having taken charge of several high-stakes encounters between the two clubs. He officiated their meeting in March 2024, which ended goalless, as well as their clash in February 2023, which City won 3-1.
9. READ MORE: How to watch Man City vs Arsenal: TV channel, live stream, kick-off and radio coverage