Granit Xhaka fuels Michael Oliver controversy with clear penalty statement after Arsenal decision

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has criticised referee Michael Oliver for awarding a controversial penalty for Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night.

The official awarded a spot-kick after Edmond Tapsoba held onto former Tottenham striker Harry Kane during a corner. Following a check by VAR, Bayern were awarded a penalty, which Kane converted to make it 3-0 on the night.

And Xhaka has now had harsh words to say about the English referee following Wednesday's Champions League last 16 clash in Munich. The Swiss midfielder, who played for Arsenal between 2016 and 2023, believes Oliver would not have made the same decision domestically.

"In the Premier League, he [Michael Oliver] doesn't give that," Xhaka told reporters after the game. "I spent seven years there and know Michael.

"I'm convinced he wouldn't whistle it in the Premier League. There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today it was nothing.

"It's a bit disappointing from him to whistle such a penalty at this level and probably decide the game. If you give a penalty for every block, there would be so many penalties every game"

Oliver has previously been at the centre of controversy involving Arsenal, with Myles Lewis-Skelly incorrectly sent off for violent conduct during the Gunners' clash at Wolves in January. Lewis-Skelly's three-match suspension was later rescinded by the FA but it was far from the first contentious decision involving Oliver and Mikel Arteta's team.

Arteta was left far from impressed by Martinelli's sending off in this exact fixture in February 2022, with the 23-year-old shown two yellow cards in a matter of seconds, one for attempting to delay the restart and the other for committing a cynical foul.

Another moment of controversy saw the official give Leandro Trossard his marching orders in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City earlier this season with Arteta again angered by the decision. A separate incident in a game between the two sides last season saw City's Mateo Kovacic lucky to escape a first-half red card when the Croatian made two questionable challenges.