The Premier League have confirmed the referee appointment for Arsenal’s match against Fulham, and Gunners fans will hope the selection isn’t a bad omen.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: John Brooks, the referee, looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford FC at Old Trafford on April 05, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images
The Premier League have confirmed that John Brooks will referee Arsenal’s match against Fulham on Tuesday, April 1st, with Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan assisting. The fourth official will be Oliver Langford.
Andy Madley will be on VAR, with Constantine Hatzidakis acting as the assistant VAR.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Fourth official Andy Madley lifts the 'No Room For Racism' substitution LED board during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 09, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Arsenal haven’t had a good record in their few appearances with Brooks refereeing, losing three of the four matches.
The Gunners were first eliminated from the FA Cup by Liverpool last January, before winning 3-0 against Brighton a few months later.
Brooks has since refereed two Arsenal matches this season, both against Newcastle United, and both defeats. First in the Premier League, then in the League Cup semi-final first leg.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Declan Rice and Gabriel of Arsenal try to control the ball under pressure from Joe Willock of Newcastle United during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 07, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
It would be unfair to suggest Brooks had caused any of those results. If anything, his biggest influence was a positive one for Arsenal, awarding a penalty to the Gunners in the Brighton win.
But with Arsenal seeing their 2024 FA Cup hopes and 2025 League Cup hopes fall apart with Brooks refereeing, and with Brooks also refereeing Manchester City’s title-winning game against West Ham last May, the omens aren’t great.
It’s a record the team will want to improve on Tuesday.
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