Taylor To Officiate Manchester City Clash Against Arsenal

Anthony Taylor has been selected as the referee for the crucial Premier League title clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Premier League confirmed the appointment of Taylor on Monday, and he will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Ian Hussin, with Paul Tierney the fourth official and John Brooks the VAR.

Arsenal’s home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday followed by City’s win at Chelsea means Pep Guardiola’s side can move to within three points of the league leaders with a game in hand if they win this weekend.

City beat Arsenal 2-0 in last month’s Carabao Cup final but Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in five league games against the Spaniard’s former club.

Taylor, who took charge of his first Premier League game in February 2010, is one of the top flight’s most experienced officials, having overseen 426 matches in total.

He has previously taken charge of three games apiece for Arsenal and City this season, with the London side having won once and drawn against Chelsea and Liverpool with Taylor in the middle.

City have won twice with Taylor in charge this season but he officiated their 2-0 defeat to rivals Manchester United in January.

Taylor is one of two Premier League referees to have been selected by FIFA to officiate at this summer World Cup, alongside Michael Oliver, having also been picked for the last tournament in Qatar.

Taylor’s appointment to this weekend’s likely title decider comes as no surprise given the magnitude of the fixture, Taylor’s stature and his recent form.

The assignment would have been pencilled in a few weeks ago so he could be kept away from both teams’ recent fixtures.

The other contenders for the match of the season were Michael Oliver, who officiated Arsenal vs. Bournemouth on Saturday, and Chris Kavanagh, who was on duty for City’s game at Chelsea.

Taylor produced an exemplary performance in the derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland last month, and won praise for allowing an advantage to Liverpool before their first goal against Fulham at the weekend.

Eyebrows are sometimes raised when he is appointed to a match involving either of the Manchester giants, given he lives within a few miles of both grounds.