Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh will act as Bankes’ assistant referees for the contest while VAR duties will be carried out by Paul Tierney and assistant VAR Craig Taylor. Bankes steps in to take charge of the game in North London after referee Michael Oliver was the subject of threats and online abuse after controversially sending off youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly for a late challenge during the Gunners' 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.
The 18-year-old prospect was due to miss the next three matches through suspension but will now be available for the Gunners contest with the champions after an independent regulatory commission upheld Arsenal's claim of wrongful dismissal.
Mikel Arteta left fuming at Michael Oliver decision
Former City assistant coach Arteta expressed his anger at the decision of referee Oliver during Arsenal’s win over Wolves. It was his side’s fourth red card of the season and it left fans, players and staff alike apoplectic, with many bewildered on how Lewis-Skelly's challenge could be seen as anything more than a yellow card offence.
And at full-time, one fan caught Arteta appearing to not mince words with Oliver before pausing, turning back and giving the referee a dirty stare.
“It is that clear that I leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you, because it is that obvious. I don't think my words are going to help," said Arteta.
“Hopefully we don't need to (appeal the red card) and if we have to, it happened and it's a really good precedent what happened with Bruno (Fernandes) this season as well. We are in a position we shouldn't be in.”
Ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League showdown with Girona, Arteta claimed that more needs to be done to eradicate online abuse in football. Arteta jumped to the defence of Michael Oliver despite not agreeing with his decision and said there should be no room for it in football. He said: “[It] leaves a bad taste and makes people's lives more difficult. Let's get it out, let's kick it out."
When asked if that was a message directed at his club's supporters, Arteta said: "It's for everyone in football, it should not be permitted. We don't want it, we don't need it and it certainly damages our sport. Let's get it out."
He also called for laws to specifically tackle online abuse, saying: "We have put in laws, measures and regulations for that kind of thing [abuse] but we haven't done it [on social media]. We are all talking about it, but no-one seems to be moving strongly enough and bringing people with them to get that out of the game, because it's just unacceptable."
Oliver is to take charge of Ipswich's Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday. His appointment for the game at Portman Road means he will not officiate Sunday's match between Arsenal and Manchester City, with Bankes taking charge at Emirates Stadium. It is routine for officials not to referee the same team in consecutive games - and Oliver has not done so this season.
Manchester City’s upcoming opponents
Arsenal are second in the Premier League with 47 points from 23 matches. They desperately need to pick up all three points against the Sky Blues to pile the pressure on league leaders Liverpool, who are six points clear of the Gunners with a game in hand. The North London side have failed to hit the high standards of last season but have outperformed City in the Champions League and League Cup so far.
Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus in attack and are thought to be in talks with Wolves over a potential move for Manchester United-linked forward Matheus Cunha, although Wolves are desperate to retain the Brazilian’s services.
0 Comments