Arsenal Fans Fume as Controversial Referees Named for Man Utd Clash

ARSENAL fans have been left fuming after the match officials were announced for their season-opener against Manchester United.

The Gunners face the Red Devils , hoping to go one better than their second-placed finish last season.

2 Paul Tierney will be the VAR for Arsenal's match against Manchester United Credit: Reuters

2 Simon Hooper will be the referee Credit: Getty

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However, Arsenal fans are not feeling confident after the Premier League announced Paul Tierney would be the VAR for the match.

It was also revealed that Simon Hooper will be the referee while Jarred Gillett will be the fourth official.

Tierney is not a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium, having made some controversial decisions against them in the past.

This includes disallowing Gabriel Martinelli 's goal against United in 2023.

The forward's effort was ruled out after Tierney gave a foul by Martin Odegaard on Christian Eriksen in the build-up.

Arsenal went on to lose the game 3-1, which damaged their hopes of winning the title that season.

Arteta has previously been publicly critical of the official after the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in 2022.

After the game, he said: "If I say what I think I am suspended for six months, I don’t know how to lie so I prefer not to say what I think.

"I cannot say what I think.

"I want the referee to come in front of the camera and explain his decisions.

"It’s a shame because such a beautiful game was destroyed today."

Fans reacted to the news of the appointments on social media.

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One posted: "Jarred Gillet and Paul Tierney. Congrats Manchester United."

A second wrote: "They’ve given us all the haters."

A third commented: "Can’t wait for the inevitable dodgy penalty and then random red card."

A fourth said: "It couldn't have been any worse."

Another added: "We're finished."