The Premier League has confirmed that referee Anthony Taylor will take charge of this weekend's highly anticipated London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, a decision that is sure to stir memories of a previous controversial incident involving Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Taylor's Contentious History with Arteta
The appointment brings Anthony Taylor back into the spotlight with Arsenal, following a major flashpoint last season. In a Premier League match against Brighton in January, Taylor awarded a highly debated penalty against the Gunners.
With Arsenal leading 1-0, a clash of heads between defender William Saliba and Brighton forward Joao Pedro occurred inside the box. After a moment's consideration, Taylor pointed to the spot, a decision that left Arteta bewildered and furious.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game, which ended 1-1, Arteta labelled the call 'bizarre', stating, "That means we have probably never seen it before. I haven't in my career. So it is a new one."
He expanded on his frustration in interviews with both Match of the Day and Sky Sports, emphasising, "We are really disappointed with the decision that leads to the goal because I have never seen something like this in my life. He [Saliba] touches the ball as well." The dropped points proved costly for Arsenal in their tight title race with Liverpool.
Not Just Arteta: Taylor's History with Chelsea
Arsenal's manager is not the only one with recent history with the official. Chelsea's dugout will also be familiar with Taylor's strict demeanour.
In a match against Liverpool back in October, Taylor dismissed Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca from the touchline. Maresca received his first yellow card for dissent and was then shown a second for stepping out of his technical area to celebrate his team's 96th-minute winning goal scored by Estevao.
The dismissal resulted in a one-match touchline ban and an £8,000 fine for the Italian manager, adding another layer of narrative to this high-stakes fixture.
The High-Stakes London Derby
This Sunday's 4:30 pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge is a pivotal match in the Premier League calendar. Arsenal enter the contest aiming to extend their lead at the summit of the table to seven points.
Their London rivals, Chelsea, currently sit in third place and will be desperate for a victory to close the six-point gap separating them from the Gunners.
Taylor will be supported by assistant referees Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, with Sam Barrott acting as the fourth official. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) duties will be handled by John Brooks, who will be assisted by Eddie Smart.
