Arsenal vs Chelsea: Michael Oliver to referee Premier League London derby

Oliver booking Willian back in the 2014/15 season.
Getty Images
Standard Sport22 September 2016

Michael Oliver has been chosen to referee the Premier League London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 24.

Oliver - who oversaw Arsenal 4-3 home defeat to Liverpool on the opening day of the 2016/17 season - has been selected to officiate the first league meeting between Arsene Wenger's Gunners and Antonio Conte's Blues.

The two managers are desperate for points early on in the campaign, with both teams on 10 points after five games and trailing Pep Guardiola's league leaders Manchester City by five points already.

Arsenal fans may not be particularly pleased by the appointment of Oliver - who will be joined by assistants Gary Beswick and Stuart Burt, along with fourth official Craig Pawson - given that the Gunners winless in the last eight league games that the 31-year-old has officiated. Conversely, Chelsea are unbeaten in 13 with Oliver refereeing.

Chelsea supporters may also remember Oliver from the 2015 league meeting between the two sides, with the referee denying the Blues three first-half penalty claims in the 0-0 draw.

In any case, Wenger - who is celebrating 20 years at Arsenal - has called on the Gunners' regular first-teamers to be on their toes following the performance of his fringe players during the EFL Cup win at Nottingham Forest.

Michael Oliver's last 8 league games refereeing Arsenal

Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4 (14/8/16)

Spurs 2 Arsenal 2 (5/3/16)

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0 (24/8/15)

Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0 (26/4/15)

Liverpool 2 Arsenal 2 (21/12/14)

Arsenal 1 Spurs 1 (27/9/14)

Liverpool 5 Arsenal 1 (8/2/14)

Man United 1 Arsenal 0 (10/11/13)

The Frenchman made 11 changes to his side for the visit to the City Ground on Tuesday as goals from Granit Xhaka, a brace from Lucas Perez, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saw Arsenal reach round four with a 4-0 victory.

Arsenal will be without Aaron Ramsey as he struggles to overcome a hamstring injury whilst Olivier Giroud has still not started a first team game. A toe injury ruled him out of the trip to Hull and it seems unlikely he will be called upon to start.

That likely means that Alexis Sanchez will once more start at centre forward, though Lucas Perez will hope his two goals earn him an opportunity to lead the line.

New signing David Luiz seems likely to start for Chelsea but the identity of the player alongside him in central defence remains unclear.

John Terry is recovering from an ankle injury sustained in an away draw to Swansea and faces a late fitness test before his availability is confirming.

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