The Arsenal vs Chelsea referee has been confirmed, with Chris Kavanagh appointed to take charge of this afternoon’s Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s champions host Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea at 4:30pm BST with both sides protecting perfect league starts.
Supporters preparing for the game can find the latest selection news in our Arsenal vs Chelsea preview.
🚨BREAKING! 💣
Chris Kavanagh is set to be in charge of Arsenal vs Chelsea clash on Sunday.
Arsenal fans are familiar with him of course. 😉 pic.twitter.com/Va8rgOUgGk
— AFC Xtra (@AFC__Xtra) September 4, 2026
Who is the Arsenal vs Chelsea referee?
Chris Kavanagh will referee Arsenal vs Chelsea, with Dan Cook and Tim Wood appointed as his assistants.
Tom Bramall is the fourth official.
Darren England will be on VAR duty, assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis, according to Chelsea’s official confirmation of the match officials.
Kavanagh has considerable experience of Arsenal fixtures.
The 40-year-old has taken charge of 29 Arsenal matches, with the Gunners winning 16, drawing seven and losing six.
Arsenal also enjoyed a strong record when Kavanagh refereed them last season.
Arteta’s side won four of their five Premier League matches with Kavanagh in charge, with the only defeat coming away to Liverpool.
His most recent Arsenal appointment came during the crucial 1-0 victory at West Ham United towards the end of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign.
That match included a significant late decision.
West Ham thought they had equalised before Kavanagh was advised to review the incident at the pitchside monitor. The goal was subsequently disallowed for a foul on David Raya.
Kavanagh has also previously taken charge of this fixture.
His last appearance at the Emirates Stadium came when Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 in March 2025.
Recent history between the clubs strongly favours Arteta’s team too, with Arsenal entering today unbeaten in 11 consecutive meetings with Chelsea in all competitions.
Our look at Arsenal’s remarkable home record against Chelsea explains another piece of history Arteta’s side can equal this afternoon.
Chelsea nevertheless arrive as the Premier League’s leading scorers, creating an intriguing contrast with an Arsenal side yet to concede.
We have examined why that battle presents Chelsea with an Arsenal defensive problem no Premier League rival has matched.
Kavanagh will now be the man tasked with controlling what promises to be one of the biggest games of the Premier League weekend.
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