Referee Tom Bramall collects the Puma Match ball from the Premier League Plinth during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Totten...
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Referee Tom Bramall collects the Puma Match ball from the Premier League Plinth during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on December 02, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The Premier League has confirmed the full officiating team for Arsenal’s opening fixture of the new campaign.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Referee, Jarred Gillett is challenged by Pau Torres of Aston Villa and Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09: Referee, Jarred Gillett is challenged by Pau Torres of Aston Villa and Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Arsenal begin the defence of their Premier League title on Friday at home against newly-promoted Coventry City, and the Premier League has confirmed the officials who will oversee the opening fixture at Emirates Stadium.
The most notable thing is that Jarred Gillett appointed as VAR for yet another Arsenal match. Does he ever do any other teams?
Tom Bramall will take charge of the contest, assisted by Gary Beswick and Mat Wilkes.
Bramall has only refereed two Arsenal games – the 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace in October 2025 and the 2-1 FA Cup win at Mansfield Town in March 2026.
Adam Herczeg has been named as fourth official.
On VAR duty, Gillett will oversee the match from Stockley Park, with Neil Davies serving as assistant VAR.
Arsenal head into the match full of confidence after their commanding 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City, with Mikel Arteta looking to turn that impressive performance into three points as their Premier League title defence gets under way.
Match officials
Referee: Tom Bramall
Assistant referees: Gary Beswick, Mat Wilkes
Fourth official: Adam Herczeg
VAR: Jarred Gillett
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies
As an aside, something you might have missed this summer is that Anthony Taylor has retired as a referee and is now Head of Refereeing in Turkey.
Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Referee Anthony Taylor shows a red card to Liverpool's French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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