Chris Kavanagh will referee Arsenal against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon, with Darren England appointed as the VAR for the London derby.
Xabi Alonso takes his unbeaten Chelsea side to the Premier League champions for a 4.30pm BST kick-off, with both clubs looking to maintain their perfect league starts.
The officials have now been confirmed ahead of one of the biggest fixtures of the weekend.
Who is the Arsenal vs Chelsea referee?
Kavanagh will take charge of Arsenal vs Chelsea.
The full officiating team is:
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Assistants: Dan Cook and Tim Wood
Fourth official: Tom Bramall
VAR: Darren England
Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis
The appointments have been confirmed in Chelsea’s official Arsenal vs Chelsea match facts.
Kavanagh has extensive Premier League experience, but Chelsea supporters may particularly remember his most recent game involving the Blues.
Kavanagh’s last Chelsea game ended with red card
Kavanagh last refereed Chelsea on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
It proved a difficult afternoon.
Chelsea lost 2-1 at Sunderland, while Wesley Fofana was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in the space of eight second-half minutes.
Fofana received his first booking in the 54th minute before Kavanagh showed the defender a second yellow in the 62nd.
Chelsea’s official report from the Sunderland defeat confirms Fofana’s dismissal came shortly after Cole Palmer had pulled the Blues back into the match.
There are no Chelsea or Arsenal players suspended for today’s meeting.
Attention will instead turn towards how Kavanagh handles what could become an intense London derby.
Chelsea’s aggressive transition game could create difficult decisions for the officials, particularly if Arsenal attempt to stop counter-attacks before they develop.
Alonso also faces his own major personnel decisions.
Our Chelsea predicted XI against Arsenal explains why Reece James could be used in midfield, while Moises Caicedo remains Chelsea’s biggest fitness question ahead of kick-off.
With Darren England overseeing VAR, any major penalty, red-card or offside decision will also have another experienced official involved at Stockley Park.
How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea today with TV channel and stream details
How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea today with TV channel and stream details
Chelsea Women Champions League fixtures confirmed as Lyon trip comes early
Chelsea Women