Soccer

MICHAEL OLIVER should not be given any Arsenal games by his refereeing bosses.SunSport whistler, ex-Prem ref Mark Halsey, says it is common sense to keep Oliver away from Gunners games for a while after he and his family were given police protection off the back of death threats.Michael Oliver received severe backlash for giving Myles Lewis-Skelly a controversial red card at the weekendCredit: GettyThe incident left Arsenal players and fans furiousCredit: GettyCops have been making round-the-clock checks on Oliver’s family home after he was the subject of sick abuse due to the controversial red card for Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s win at Wolves, which has now been overturned.PGMOL protocol means that Oliver is unlikely to take charge of an Arsenal game in the coming weeks.Halsey said: “The PGMOL will keep him away from Arsenal for a while, which is the right thing to do.”When there is friction between a ref and a club that is the right thing to do, why create a problem for yourself.Read More in Football”Taking him away from Arsenal is not derogatory towards Michael and his ability. It is common sense.”Oliver’s integrity has also come under serious scrutiny following the incident.Halsey added: “That does not come into it, you cannot question the integrity of a referee.”The referee goes out and referees what is in front of him.Most read in Football”There are millions of people watching him, he has an evaluation on his game too. You don’t prejudge anything.”Halsey also feels there needs to be more protection for top officials, with their hectic schedule adding further strain.Shamed Ref David Coote EXCLUSIVE on death threats, coke battle & coming out | The SunOliver is back in action taking charge of Barcelona v Atalanta in the Champions League tomorrow and will be at Portman Road for Ipswich v Southampton on Saturday.He has also been appointed to officiate the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on February 12 – another high profile game – and will likely be given an FA Cup fourth round game next weekend.Former ref Mark Halsey said: “Michael is our best referee by far.”He is reffing week in, week out. Perhaps PGMOL are not looking after him.”Players lose form and have indifferent performances, it’s the same with referees. They are out every week and also used in the VAR hub.”There has to be accountability when they put in a poor performance. I am not blaming the referees, it is the leadership and the direction coming from PGMOL management.”Howard Webb hasn’t got the right personnel below him in coaching terms.”Halsey himself has been the subject of death threats following a Liverpool vs Manchester United game in 2012, which left him fearing for his safety.He said: “I have been there and been through it. You fear for your safety, but luckily for me nothing happened.”I had just come back from cancer, my wife had Leukaemia and they wanted both of us to die, they wanted my illness to come back.”They wanted to do horrible things to my daughter.”I received a letter in the post saying there is a bullet waiting for you.”You expect abuse from fans in the terraces, you are a uniform.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because you are the ref they feel they have the right to have a go at you. You have to have mental toughness about you to survive.”I commend him for going back out, Michael is mentally tough and a strong character. Michael always does the best games because he is trusted by management.”Arsenal player ratings: David Raya saves all three-points for Arsenal but Trossard’s woeful deliveries an issue againARSENAL finally won a match with ten-men after Myles Lewis-Skelly was controversially sent off.It was the Gunners’ fourth sending off this season and they had not won any of their matches without 11 players this term.But Arsenal showed their character and battled past Wolves 1-0.Here is how SunSport rated the players’ performances.DAVID RAYA – 8/10Very little to do until the 63rd minute when he brilliantly tipped a deflected Matheus Cunha effort wide. He then stopped Rayan Ait-Nouri in a one-on-one in the 84th minute.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 6Was having another fine game before being the victim of one of most ludicrous red cards in Prem history. His cynical trip was worthy of a yellow and nothing more.WILLIAM SALIBA – 7Arsenal just look so solid with him in this backline. A welcome return from a minor hamstring injury. Kept Cunha at bay.GABRIEL – 7Led from the front and put his body on the line. Constantly headed away from danger.JURRIEN TIMBER – 6Hit with some nasty challenges that required treatment – including one that had Joao Gomes sent off – but carried on playing and was resolute.DECLAN RICE – 7More of a goal threat than in recent weeks and stood up when Arsenal needed him.THOMAS PARTEY – 7Steady Eddie for most parts back in his favoured midfield position after spells at right-back this season. Displayed his importance to this side once more.ETHAN NWANERI – 6Unfortunately made way at half-time as a sacrificial lamb following Lewis-Skelly’s sending off. Was a lively, creative spark in the first-half.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5In the absence of Bukayo Saka, the Belgian is on corner-taking duty, but his deliveries were woeful. A quiet afternoon that sums up why he is in and out of the team currently.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6Was lacking that clinical edge in the first half, but came up with the cross after the break that led to Arsenal’s vital opener.KAI HAVERTZ – 7Missed two glorious first half chances with his head and another in the second half, but worked tirelessly on his own – especially with Arsenal down to ten.SUBS:RICCARDO CALAFIORI (NWANERI, 45) – 8The sort of goal that keeps title dreams alive. Added real height and danger aerially, as well as a sweet volley from a tough angle.KIERAN TIERNEY (MARTINELLI, 87) – N/A More