Referee Andre Marriner will best be remembered for the inexplicable refereeing performance in a game between Arsenal and Chelsea a few years ago. Back in the game, Marriner performed the ignominious mistake of sending off the wrong player even amidst protests from several Arsenal players. Instead of sending off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for handling the ball inside the penalty area, the referee sent off Kieran Gibbs.
Hence, it is not a surprise that Arsenal fans see the funny side when Marriner has been announced as the referee for the weekend showdown with Manchester United. Arsenal will be visiting Old Trafford looking to preserve their 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Since the opening day 4-3 loss against Liverpool, they have been quite imperious.
Manchester United are struggling big-time and the 3-1 win over Swansea just before the international break only did little to lift the spirits. The international break could not have come at a much worse time for United. Even though there will be a sense of relief around the club following the first league win in five games, one cannot stop thinking that any confidence derived from the game would have evaporated by now.
Andre Marriner on Saturday. No Bellerin, Alexis and Santi. We are fucked.
— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) November 15, 2016
The last time Andre Marriner officiated a big game it was Chelsea X Arsenal and he sent off Gibbs instead of Oxlade Chamberlain #memories
— Harambé Jr ✨ (@RaphaCertified) November 14, 2016
Arsenal have won eight of the last nine fixtures with Andre Marriner as referee. The exception was the 0-6 defeat to Mourinho’s Chelsea.
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) November 14, 2016
Andre Marriner has been appointed as the referee for Arsenal vs. Man United.
Here’s hoping Wenger doesn’t start ox and Gibbs together.
— Indiana Bönes (@Cechque) November 14, 2016
@SkySportsNewsHQ No Clattenburg hahaha, we’re actually beating Arsenal 8-2 again
— ㅤ (@Pogbesque) November 14, 2016
@SkySportsNewsHQ looking forward to him sending off martial for a challenge rashford commited
— Jamie (@JamieAndrews_) November 14, 2016
The match will once again witness Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger battling out on the touchline. The former has managed to come out on top every time they have met each other. Apart from the Community Shield 2015 win for Wenger, the Frenchman has failed to beat the Portuguese in more than 10 attempts. In fact, the duo has come up against each other 13 teams in the league with Mourinho winning seven games and drawing the remaining six. He will undoubtedly want to continue this impressive record.
The Portuguese manager is almost certain to be asked questions about Marriner and the infamous refereeing decision of a few years ago. Mourinho has been involved in a number of FA charges and also having recently served a touchline suspension along with a hefty fine. He is highly unlikely to make comments about the referee leading up to the game. However, he will certainly make a point about the long list of injuries plaguing his team. The international break saw Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney added to the list.
The potential return of Antonio Valencia is probably the only helpline for the club, as they are heavily expected to field a makeshift team.
Any comments about the injury situation is likely to play into the hands of Arsene Wenger, who has managed to keep the results coming even when having five of his first-team players injured. Alexis Sanchez is expected to be available for the game after a minor knock during the international break.
