Arsenal fans express particular concern ahead of Tottenham derby

As Tottenham Hotspur gear up to host Arsenal in the eagerly awaited North London Derby on September 15th, controversy has already started brewing around the match. The Premier League has appointed Jarred Gillett as the referee for this high-stakes clash, but his selection has sparked significant debate, particularly among Arsenal supporters.

Gillett's appointment has raised eyebrows due to his recent refereeing decisions, which have left many Arsenal fans unhappy. The Mirror reports that Arsenal fans have voiced their displeasure on social media, recalling a contentious incident from their season opener against Wolves.

In that match, Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera was involved in a scuffle where he grabbed Arsenal's Kai Havertz by the throat. Despite the severity of the action, Gillett chose not to issue a red card, and VAR did not intervene, much to the frustration of both Arsenal fans and players.

Arsenal fans express particular concern ahead of Tottenham derby

This controversy comes at a hard time for Arsenal, who are already dealing with a number of setbacks. Key midfielders Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino are currently sidelined with injuries, while Declan Rice will miss the derby after being shown a red card in Arsenal’s recent 1-1 draw with Brighton.

With Arsenal’s squad looking increasingly depleted, Tottenham will be looking to exploit their rivals' weaknesses. Spurs will enter the match with hopes of capitalising on Arsenal’s injury problems and securing a vital victory in the first derby of the season. Ange Postecoglou’s side will be eager to make a statement and take full advantage of the situation.

Also, there are increasing worries about the fitness of some crucial Tottenham players ahead of the North London derby, with Richarlison’s availability being especially uncertain. Reports from football.london suggest that the Brazilian forward might not be fit to play in the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which could be a significant blow for manager Ange Postecoglou.