The final international football break of 2017 is very nearly done and dusted.
On Saturday, the Premier League returns, with the first fixture of the day one of the most eagerly anticipated of the entire season.
Not only is Arsenal’s meeting with Tottenham a fierce local derby, it also features some of the biggest stars in the English top flight – none bigger than the man who’s now been named to referee the fixture: Mike Dean.
Sadly for Dean, not everyone’s been too pleased that he’s been named as official in charge of the 12:30 kick off at The Emirates. Within minutes of the news breaking, his name was trending on Twitter, largely due to unhappy Arsenal supporters venting their disapproval at the announcement.
Dean hasn’t always been the most popular of referees with Gooners, as many of them made clear upon hearing he’d be taking charge of the game…
Arsenal v Tottenham Saturday and Mike Dean is the ref.
We are fukn fucked 😯 pic.twitter.com/K0m1eINKBt
— 🔴Island 🇬🇧 Ⓜark🔴 (@FreshwaterMark) November 13, 2017
When Poch hears Mike Dean is the referee for the NLD pic.twitter.com/oy4hERlAhe
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) November 13, 2017
The campaign against arsenal is very serious after being given mike dean to officiate in the derby….@FA
— Forda (@fordagunner) November 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/hillsey_92/status/930113694075445248
Sp*rs fan Mike Dean in charge of the NLD!!!
Is this Wenger’s punishment @FA ?!? pic.twitter.com/xufWvMTGmY— VT Gooner (@GoonerCity) November 13, 2017
How the hell can we get Mike Dean for another NLD!? #FIXED @FA
— IN ARTETA WE TRUST | BALDARTETA (@BALDARTETA) November 13, 2017
How can Mike Dean ref the game on Saturday? What a joke
— Harry Ollis (@harry_ollis) November 13, 2017
