Peter Schmeichel adds to Arsenal's outrage over Michael Oliver with blunt question after stat goes viral

Peter Schmeichel felt referee Michael Oliver wanted to “put himself in the spotlight” during Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Oliver has been entrusted with refereeing duties for Sunday's high-profile clash between the two Premier League heavyweights.

However, he was at the centre of controversy at the end of the first half when he was sent off. Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard for a second punishable offense.

Trossard received his second yellow card for delaying the restart when he kicked the ball just seconds after it crashed into the goalkeeper's back. Bernardo Silva.

The Belgian's red card also marked the seventh time Oliver has sent off an Arsenal player, a higher number than any other team he has managed.

Oliver was also at the centre of the controversy over Arsenal's opening goal when he spoke to the City defender. Kyle Walker before a free kick.

But Oliver allowed play to resume before Walker returned to his position and that led to Ricardo Calafiori scoring a stunning equalising goal.

Schmeichel, who spent his final season as a professional at City, felt Oliver tried to referee the match with the title race in mind in a brutal downfall.

“Michael Oliver is doing everything he can to make this race accessible to everyone,” Schmeichel told Viaplay.

“This is the biggest game in the Premier League so far. Soft yellow cards.

“Why is Michael Oliver trying to ruin everything? It's a very important game, emotions are running high. I understand what you're up against, but no, Michael Oliver wants to be the centre of attention.”

Schmeichel was not alone in his criticism of Oliver, as both Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola They expressed their frustrations after the match.

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Trossard's red card was the second time in three games that an Arsenal player had been sent off for delaying a restart. Declan Rice was ordered to leave for a similar offence against Brighton.

Arteta said he now expected “100 Premier League games to be played as 10 against 11 or 10 against nine”.

“I think it's very obvious what people think about the red card,” Arteta said.

“It's not my job to come here and judge what happened. My job is to survive in one of the toughest environments in football for 55 minutes and try to do things to survive.

“It's happened twice in five games now, which is very worrying to see in the top league.”

Guardiola's frustrations centred on Oliver's role in City's disorganisation that led to Calafiori's goal.

“My concern is when the referee asks Kyle to move 20 miles away from his position,” Guardiola said.

“Next time I'll tell my players that the next time the referee asks them to speak, they should say: 'No, no, come here with me', and we won't go.”

Arsenal fans themselves were furious with Oliver after the match, with some expressing their anger to talkSPORT.

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Comedian and Arsenal fan Alex Brooker said of the referee: “No, I don't think he was in control.”

He added: “But what did it cost us to defend? 50 minutes against Manchester City with 10 men? I think we defended very well, but it's one point.”

AFTV's Lee Judges told talkSPORT: “No, he[Michael Oliver]was awful. You have to ask your question now, like last season at the Emirates, two bookings for Mateo Kovacic and he didn't send him off. He had the option today and he couldn't wait to do it.

“I don’t know if he did or not, but Jeremy Doku certainly did.”