Arsenal fans are in meltdown on social media following confirmation that ‘Liverpool fan’ Jarred Gillett will referee their Premier League clash vs Leeds on Saturday.
Jarred Gillett Appointed as Arsenal vs Leeds Referee
Australian referee Jarred Gillett has been appointed to take charge of Arsenal vs Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday evening, and Gunners fans aren’t happy with the news.
Gillett, who fans of the North London club often label as a Liverpool fan, was the VAR for Bournemouth vs Arsenal last term, where William Saliba was shown a red card for bringing down Evanilson near the halfway line as he headed in on goal.
The Frenchman was initially shown a yellow card, but after intervention from Gillet, the card was changed to red as he was adjudged to have denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
To make matters worse for Arsenal, they fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Cherries. This is despite being heavily favoured to come out on top by UK betting sites prior to kick-off.
Subsequently, Saliba was handed a one-match ban. That match would be against Liverpool, in what was a crucial clash in the context of the title race, with the pair playing out a 2-2 draw.
Unsurprisingly, this drew major criticisms from Arsenal fans.
Coincidentally, the Gunners face off against the Reds in the match that follows their clash vs Leeds. This means that a repeat of what happened last season is possible, with Gillett being able to directly influence Liverpool vs Arsenal by awarding a red card this weekend.
Some Gunners fans have taken to social media with conspiracy theories in wake of the news, with many ‘expecting’ to see a red card brandished to one of their players against the Whites.
Is Jarred Gillett a Liverpool Fan?
Since joining the Premier League in 2021, Gillett has never officiated a Liverpool match. This is reportedly because he confirmed his allegiance to the club when joining the referees’ board.
He has, however, taken charge of a Liverpool charity match against AC Milan, where the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher turned out at Anfield as part of the Reds’ legends team.
FOX Sports commentator Brenton Speed, speaking on the Fox Football Podcast, revealed following the fixture that Gillett is indeed a supporter of the Merseyside club.
“He told me about this a couple of months ago, said keep it under your hat because I’m not sure whether I’ll get the appointment.
“That’ll be the last game he ever officiates at Anfield because he had to fill out a document when he agreed to join the referees’ board over there and you have to fill in the team you supported as a boy/man and he said it was Liverpool.
“So that means you’re taken off all their games, home or away.”
Gunners Fans In Meltdown Over Arsenal vs Leeds Referee
Gunners fans have take to social media to share their displeasure at Gillett being appointed for this weekend’s game, with some going as far as to suggest that the PGMOL is corrupt.
One Arsenal fan wrote: “Once again, Arsenal have a referee who is a known Liverpool fan the week before they play Liverpool.
“Jarred Gillett was the VAR who intervened to send off Saliba vs. Bournemouth last season. He missed the next game… against Liverpool.
“It absolutely stinks.”
Once again, Arsenal have a referee who is a known Liverpool fan the week before they play Liverpool.
Jarred Gillett was the VAR who intervened to send of Saliba vs. Bournemouth last season. He missed the next game… against Liverpool.
It absolutely stinks. https://t.co/QT1jh3av7G
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) August 19, 2025
Another added: “Liverpool fan Jarred Gillett has been appointed referee for our next game against Leeds United. Guess who we play that week after? Who’s your money on getting sent off then?
“He was the referee against Bournemouth the week before we played Liverpool last season. He sent Saliba off.
“I guess the PGMOL was unhappy with our victory yesterday and have sent him along to punish us.”
Liverpool fan Jarred Gillett has been appointed referee for our next game against Leeds United. Guess who we play that week after? Who’s your money on getting sent off then?
He was the referee against Bournemouth the week before we played Liverpool last season. He sent Saliba…
— MR DT (@MrDtAFC) August 18, 2025
And finally, an Arsenal blog wrote: “Jared Gillett, a Liverpool fan, is refereeing our game against Leeds on Saturday. If he’s not allowed to referee Liverpool games due to bias, why is he allowed to impact which players can face Liverpool?
“Second time this has happened in consecutive seasons.”
Jared Gillett, a Liverpool fan, is refereeing our game against Leeds on Saturday. If he’s not allowed to referee Liverpool games due to bias, why is he allowed to impact which players can face Liverpool? Second time this has happened in consecutive seasons.
— 1886 (@1886_blog) August 19, 2025
Gunners legend Theo Walcott has predicted another disappointing season for Arsenal awaits, but leading bookmakers have them as second favourites to lift the English top-flight title.
They kicked off the campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United last weekend.
Following their clashes against Leeds and Liverpool, and after returning from the international window, they face a tough run of fixtures against Forest, Manchester City and Newcastle.
