What Arsenal fans can expect from the referee for Monaco clash

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Svein Oddvar Moen is not afraid of issuing a yellow card or two in Europe or making big calls early on in the Champions League.

After a week in which Bjorn Kuipers was guilty of a few rash decisions in Chelsea’s clash with PSG and Carlos Velasco failed to adequately protect Everton from an overly-physical Dynamo Kyiv, Arsenal could be set to benefit from their own special UEFA official.

Svein Oddvar Moen is a 36-year-old referee who officiates on a regular basis in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, having made his debut in the league back in 2003.

While his first major duty on the international scene came as referee of the Under-17 World Cup final of 2011, Moen has become a regular on the UEFA circuit in the years since.

A no-nonsense referee on the world stage, the Norwegian official has never shied away from making big decisions.

In a World Cup qualifier between Italy and the Czech Republic in 2013, the 36-year-old wasted little time in dishing out a second yellow card to Mario Balotelli for an overly physical aerial challenge on an opposition defender.

His no nonsense attitude was on display again this season in the Champions League, with Moen adhering to the letter of the law after Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes fouled a Zenit St Petersburg forward outside the area.

A red card duly followed and, in fairness, the Portuguese ‘keeper could have few complaints.

But there have been some controversial moments for Moen along the way.

In a Euro 2016 qualifier between Germany and Scotland last September, the Scandinavian official came in for some flack after sending off one player from the latter side for a second bookable offence but then failing to take action when Thomas Muller grabbed another player.

More significantly still, a foul on Steven Naismith – who appeared to be through on goal for Scotland – was judged only worthy of a yellow card.

Some solace for Gunners can be found in the fact he has given Arsenal some help, of sorts, in the Champions League in the past though.

Rewind to February 2013 and with Arsenal already 3-1 down to Bayern Munich from the first leg at the Emirates, Moen awarded the visitors a rather questionable corner early on in the return fixture at the Allianz Arena.

From it Laurent Kocielny scored for the North Londoners, who went on to win 2-0, with the Norwegian match official endearing himself to the Gunners faithful for his overall performance in the process.