Arsenal fans fear key factor in this weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham could have a huge impact on their title pursuit

Arsenal fans have raised questions against PGMOL on social media after discovering the choice of officials for their must-win clash with Tottenham. 

The Gunners’ trip to the home of their biggest rivals is the biggest test to come in the final games of the season, as they look to win their first Premier League title in two decades.

Michael Oliver will be the man in the middle to referee the game alongside assistants Stuart Burk, Dan Cook and fourth official Andy Madley.

But it is the appointment of Liverpool fan Jarred Gillett as the main VAR official that has raised concern among Gunners fans on social media. 

The latest round of referee appointments come after Nottingham Forest‘s incredible statement after having three penalties turned down in their defeat to Everton, insisting they had warned PGMOL that VAR official Stuart Attwell is a Luton fan. The Premier League have since responded insisting that it’s ‘never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials.’

Fans expressed concern over Liverpool fan Jarred Gillett being on VAR for the north London derby

And much like Forest are in a relegation battle with Luton, Arsenal and Liverpool are both in contention to win the Premier League title. So the choice of Gillett as VAR official has got Arsenal fans questioning PGMOL on social media.

@Rory_Talks_Ball tweeted: ‘Spurs vs Arsenal match officials: Referee – Michael Oliver and VAR – Jarred Gillett.

‘One has been accused multiple times of gifting Man City decisions this season, the other is a Liverpool fan. What could go wrong.’

Another user commented: ‘Forest objected to a supposed Luton fan being on VAR with Everton. On Sunday Jarred Gillett is on VAR.

‘Yep the man whose declared allegiance is Liverpool. Liverpool who need Arsenal to lose on Sunday.

‘Now I’m not insinuating anything but PGMOL don’t help themselves do they?’

A third person wrote: ‘Liverpool fan, Jarred Gillet is on VAR for the HUGE North London derby this weekend. I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.’

Another Arsenal fan wrote: ‘Erm a Liverpool fan on VAR. Haven’t PGMOL learnt nothing from the fall out from the Everton v Forest match. Now I’m not saying Gillett will intentionally favour Spurs but surely he shouldn’t be put in a position where his integrity can be questioned.’

Gillett is a Liverpool fan and is unable to referee games of the Reds or their Merseyside rivals Everton.

Liverpool, following their loss at Goodison Park on Wednesday, are three points off Arsenal going into this weekend’s fixtures. 

Nottingham Forest were heavily criticised following their statement in the wake of their loss to Everton. 

In their statement, they tweeted: ‘Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options.’

Nottingham Forest were furious after having three penalties dismissed against Everton

In a statement they claimed that they warned PGMOL that Stuart Attwell is a Luton fan

The Premier League in a responding statement said: ‘We note The FA has confirmed it will be investigating the club’s statement. It is never appropriate to improperly question the integrity of match officials, and the nature of these comments means the Premier League will also be investigating the matter in relation to the League’s Rules.’

Referees’ chief Howard Webb will hold peace talks with Nottingham Forest’s owners this week at which the VAR audio of their three penalty appeals against Everton will be played to the club.

Forest had requested access to referee Anthony Taylor’s conversations with Attwell earlier this week. 

Mail Sport understands that a hefty fine, rather than a points deduction, may be in the pipeline, after the FA ‘formally requested observations from Forest.