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By Billy Bunter
There are few names that can make an Arsenal supporter sit up quite as quickly as seeing the starting XI. One of them is Anthony Taylor.
So when the news broke that Taylor had retired from elite refereeing, there may have been a few Arsenal fans who quietly smiled.
Taylor has brought the curtain down on a remarkable refereeing career spanning more than 20 years. He took charge of 432 Premier League matches across 16 seasons and officiated major domestic cup finals as well as international football. By any objective measure, it was an impressive career.
But football isn’t always about statistics. For supporters, it is about memories — and Arsenal fans have certainly collected a few involving Mr Taylor.
The Arsenal connection
Taylor has been involved in several Arsenal matches that left supporters and managers scratching their heads.
One of the more memorable examples came in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea in January 2018, when Taylor awarded Chelsea a penalty after Héctor Bellerín made contact with Eden Hazard. Arsène Wenger was furious about the decision, describing it as another controversial penalty ruling against Arsenal.
Years later, there was another Taylor controversy involving Arsenal, this time at Brighton in January 2025.
William Saliba was penalised after making contact with João Pedro while challenging for the ball. Mikel Arteta was extremely unhappy with the decision, saying he had never seen a decision like it in his career. The penalty was converted and Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw.
Now, were these decisions proof that Taylor was biased against Arsenal?
No.
That would be a much bigger claim than the evidence supports. Referees make controversial decisions involving every major club, and Arsenal have certainly benefited from some decisions that opponents thought were wrong.
But football supporters don’t always remember the perfectly ordinary decisions. They remember the ones that cost points, changed matches or left them shouting at the television.
And Taylor’s name has appeared in rather too many of those Arsenal memories.
A fresh start?
That is why his retirement could be good news for Arsenal — not because Arsenal suddenly gets favourable refereeing, but because one familiar source of controversy has disappeared from the equation.
Taylor’s departure also gives younger referees an opportunity to establish themselves at the highest level. That could ultimately be good for the Premier League as a whole.
And let’s be honest: Arsenal supporters have suffered enough close calls over the years without needing to start every big match wondering who has been appointed referee.
Imagine the fixture list appearing on a Friday morning.
Arsenal v Manchester City.
Then you scroll down.
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Cue thousands of Arsenal supporters immediately checking their blood pressure.
That reaction is now history.
But don’t celebrate too soon…
There is one small problem.
Taylor retiring does not mean Arsenal will suddenly receive perfect refereeing decisions.
VAR is still here. Other referees are still here. Controversial penalties, handballs, red cards and mysterious interpretations of “clear and obvious error” are not going anywhere.
In fact, Arsenal fans may simply find a new referee to complain about.
That’s football.
Taylor leaves behind an impressive career and, whatever individual supporters may think of some of his decisions, he was undoubtedly one of England’s most experienced officials. His final appointment was the 2026 World Cup round-of-16 match between Portugal and Spain.
So perhaps Arsenal supporters should simply wish him well.
But privately?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with thinking:
“Well… that’s one less thing to worry about.”
And when the first controversial Arsenal decision of the new season arrives — as it inevitably will — we can all start looking for the next Anthony Taylor.
