Mike Dean will referee Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Mike Dean has been announced as the referee for Sunday’s North London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – and Gunners fans aren’t happy.
Tottenham and their local rivals renew hostilities for the first time this season at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend.
Arsenal supporters, who set up an online petition in 2015 to have the 50-year-old banned from officiating their matches, have twice accused Dean of celebrating Spurs goals while refereeing their games, and once in a North London derby back in 2012.
Here’s how they responded to this afternoon’s announcement:
Dean presided over this fixture last November, when Arsenal beat Mauricio Pochettino’s side 2-0 at the Emirates.
The Gunners, then under Arsene Wenger, took the lead through Shkodran Mustafi following a contentious decision by Dean to award the hosts a free kick.
But the long-serving referee infuriated Arsenal fans and Wenger the following month by awarding West Bromwich Albion a last-minute penalty during the 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns.
Tottenham sit three points ahead of the fifth-placed Gunners in the Premier League table.
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