Michael Oliver may have helped Arsenal in the Premier League title race with what he just did

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Despite Arsenal’s injury woes, the Premier League title race is still just about within reach for Mikel Arteta and his team.

The Gunners seven six points adrift of leaders Liverpool with 14 games remaining.

Arsenal thrashed Manchester City last time out, and have spent the last week enjoying a warm weather training camp in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the Merseysiders have remained embroiled in an intense fixture schedule, and suffered a potentially damaging result on Wednesday evening.

• READ MORE: Arsenal fans have a lot to say about Mikel Arteta after Liverpool boss Arne Slot gets a red card

Michael Oliver makes big decisions in Everton v Liverpool

Liverpool were six points clear of the Gunners heading into their game in hand on Merseyside, and thus it was imperative for Arsenal that they dropped points.

Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury, meaning Arteta’s squad is extremely depleted in attacking areas, and needed their title rivals to stumble at the first hurdle to maintain hope of usurping them.

With the game at Goodison Park poised at 2-1 to the Reds in injury time, Michael Oliver allowed Everton to play over a minute-and-a-half longer than the allotted six minutes.

James Tarkowski used this additional time to thrash home a volley and equalise for the Toffees with the last kick of the game.

Things turned sour after full-time, with a brawl breaking out between Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones next to the Liverpool away fans.

Both players were dismissed by Oliver, who also sent Liverpool boss Arne Slot straight off for dissent.

With Arsenal fans feeling aggrieved by refereeing decisions at various points this season, they’ll be delighted to see their title rivals punished to the harshest extent for some minor infringements after the full-time whistle.

These decisions could change Premier League title momentum for Arsenal

While it remains an uphill battle for Arsenal, the feisty nature of the Merseyside derby has the potential to be a turning point in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool will be tangibly hit by Oliver’s decisions, with Slot now in the stands for next weekend’s game against Wolves at Anfield, and Jones suspended entirely.

They also dropped two points due to the referee opting to allow play to continue after the initial six minutes.

To do so in such damaging circumstances could certainly deflate Liverpool, and this could spark a change in momentum and confidence between the two title challengers.

Arsenal have injury issues to contend with, as the likes of Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus are all out.

However, Saka is expected to return in March, which will be a significant boost for the Gunners, and reignite their dwindling hopes of lifting silverware this season.