Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the referee for Arsenal’s game against Manchester United this weekend.
The official was born in Manchester and there has often been a debate about whether referees should take charge of matches involving teams from their local area.
While there are some fans on Twitter who don’t mind Taylor’s appointment, many are not pleased by the decision to hand the 44-year-old officiating duties:
Not the best news to hear. π«’
β Brian Ince (@BrianInce11) January 17, 2023
Lovely – a ref from Manchester
β Scary (@JoshuaBritton94) January 16, 2023
Oooo even more challenging
β Felix Grover (@Felix_gR0ver) January 17, 2023
Either way, Arsenal is winning.
3-0β Nick Kasirye (@KasiryeNick) January 16, 2023
Congratulations on the win united fans
β Warisπ¦ (@Waris1231_) January 16, 2023
arsenal in trouble
β PELLYZβπΎπ (@PELLYZPELUMI) January 16, 2023
The Manchester ref sheesh
β yonui (@Elsieyonui) January 16, 2023
To be honest, Arsenal hardly lose a game officiated by this man. Am hopeful
β Ajuluchi (@nwannepeterobi) January 16, 2023
Heβll ref in favor of Man United and Man City
β ABOCHIE ππ§πΎββοΈ (@abochie_) January 16, 2023
On this season’s evidence, there should be nothing to be concerned about. Taylor has taken charge of three Arsenal league matches this campaign and they have won all three.
However, if we look at his track record in Premier League fixtures over the years, a more concerning picture emerges. United have the highest win percentage (63.9%) of any Premier League team when he is the referee.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been on the winning side 56.4% of the time, which is not a bad percentage, but it is still well below United’s.