The referee in charge of Arsenal's clash with Bayern Munich tonight has a controversial history in the latter stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners are (apologies in advance) gunning for a spot in the last four of the competition for the first time since 2009. But they'll need to beat Thomas Tuchel's men in Munich to get there after drawing 2-2 in the first leg in London last week.

That tie was marred by second-half penalty drama when Bukayo Saka was denied a last-minute spot-kick after colliding with Manuel Neuer in the box, while Bayern's appeals for handball from Gabriel during a goal-kick were also waved away – and we might be in store for more penalty drama tonight judging by whistle man Danny Makkelie's past.

The Dutch official, 41, received a rollicking from Dortmund's Emre Can following a controversial call during the German club's Champions League last-16 defeat to Chelsea last season. Kai Havertz, now at Arsenal, scored the winner in the clash from the penalty spot, but only after being allowed to re-take his initial effort, which hit the post, after VAR ruled that a Dortmund player had encroached.

After the game, a fuming Can branded Makkelie "arrogant" and accused him of being intimidated by Chelsea's fans. "The referee. It was his fault today," he raged. "How can you give the second penalty in the situation? How does it work? That simply does not work! I don't give a s*** who walked in there before. He was arrogant the whole game – that's where it starts. We lost here undeservedly because of the referee."

Can added: "We play here at Stamford Bridge. Maybe he's afraid of the fans, I don't know, but then UEFA should send another referee."

Defeat for Arsenal tonight could spell disaster for their season, especially after they lost vital ground in the title race after losing to Aston Villa at the weekend. Victory, however, could set up a mouthwatering tie with Premier League title rivals Manchester City, which would be the first all-English semi-final since Arsenal took on Manchester United in 2009.

City still need to get the job done against Real Madrid tonight, though after their 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu last week, picking a winner won't be easy. Should both Madrid and Arsenal advance, it'll be the first time they've faced each other since the Gunners knocked them out en route to the Champions League final in 2006, courtesy of that Thierry Henry solo goal.