Peter Schmeichel felt referee Michael Oliver wanted to put ‘himself in the spotlight’ during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Oliver was entrusted with the officiating duties for Sunday’s high-profile clash between the two Premier League heavyweights.

Peter Schmeichel ripped into Michael Oliver over his refereeing performanceGetty

However, he was at the centre of controversy late in the first half when he sent off Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard for a second bookable offence.

Trossard received his second yellow for delaying the restart as he kicked the ball away just seconds after he clattered into the back of Bernardo Silva.

The Belgian’s red card also marked the seventh time Oliver has sent off an Arsenal player, a figure higher than any other team he has officiated.

Oliver was also at the centre of controversy for Arsenal’s first goal when he spoke with City defender Kyle Walker before a free kick.

But Oliver allowed play to restart before Walker had returned to his position and it led to Riccardo Calafiori scoring a stunning equaliser.

Schmeichel, who spent his last season as a professional at City, felt Oliver tried to officiate the match with the title race in mind in a brutal takedown.

“Michael Oliver is doing everything he can to make this race for everyone,” Schmeichel told Viaplay.

“This is the biggest game in the Premier League so far. Soft yellow cards.

“Why is Michael Oliver trying to ruin it? It’s a big game, emotions are flying high. Understand what you’re dealing with here, but no, Michael Oliver wants himself in the spotlight.”

Schmeichel was not alone in his critique of Oliver, as both Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola voiced their frustrations after the game.

Trossard was sent off for his second yellow after kicking the ball awayGetty

Trossard’s red card was the second time in three games an Arsenal player had been sent off for delaying a restart, with Declan Rice given his marching orders for a similar offence against Brighton.

Arteta said he was now ‘expecting 100 Premier League games to be played as 10 against 11 or 10 against nine’.

“I think it is very obvious what people think of the red card,” Arteta said.

“It is not my job to come here and judge what happened. My job is to survive in one of the most difficult environments there is in football for 55 minutes and try to get things done to survive.

“It has already happened twice in five games which is very worrying to see in the best league.”

Guardiola’s frustrations centred around Oliver’s role in the disorganisation of City that led to Calafiori’s goal.

“My concern is when the referee asks Kyle to go 20 miles away from his position,” Guardiola said.

“Next time I will say to my players that the next time the referee asks to talk, say, ‘No, no, come here to me’, and we will not go.”

Arsenal fans themselves were fuming with Oliver after the game and some voiced their anger to talkSPORT.

Arteta and the rest of the Arsenal bench were fumingGetty

Comedian and Arsenal fan Alex Brooker said on the referee: “No I don’t think he did [have control].

He added: “But to put up that defence for what was it? 50 odd minutes against Man City with 10 men? I just thought we defended so well, so gutted but look it’s a point.”

AFTV’s Lee Judges told talkSPORT: “Nah he [Michael Oliver] was awful. You’ve got to ask your question now, like last season at the Emirates two bookings with Mateo Kovacic and he didn’t send him off. He had the choice today and couldn’t wait to do it.

“I don’t know if he did or he didn’t but Jeremy Doku certainly did.”