Everton host Arsenal on Saturday.Everton host Arsenal on Saturday.
Everton host Arsenal on Saturday. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
There has already been drama between Arsenal and the referee for this weekend’s visit to Everton in the Premier League this season.
The Gunners have a huge Champions League quarter final clash with Real Madrid on the horizon next week and three more points in the Premier League would be a vital momentum boost ahead of that game. The European tournament remains the last realistic chance of silverware for Mikel Arteta and his men this term.
Premier League confirm referee for Everton v Arsenal
Darren England will be the match official for Arsenal v Everton with Scott Ledger and Akil Howson his assistants. Bobby Madley is the fourth official with Stuart Attwell on VAR.
England last oversaw the meeting between Manchester United and Ipswich Town at the end of February, handing out eight yellow cards and one red card in a 3-2 win for the Red Devils. His last match featuring Arsenal was when the Gunners beat the Tractor Boys 1-0 in December.
During that match, Lewis-Skelly caught Wolves man Matt Doherty above the ankle to stop a counter-attack breaking from the edge of the Wolves box. Despite being 70 yards away from the Arsenal goal, referee Michael Oliver brandished a straight red card for the 18-year-old.
Mikel Arteta ‘fuming’ with Darren England on VAR
That decision was then sent to be checked by England and VAR, with many expected the decision to be overturned, but the video assistant backed Oliver’s call. Speaking after that match, which Arsenal went on to win 1-0, Arteta said: "It is that clear and I will leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming. But I will leave it with you, it is that obvious that I don't think my words are going to help.
"That's for the club to decide what is the best decision [regarding an appeal]. It's that obvious that maybe we don't even need to. He [Lewis-Skelly] is really happy now that the team won and found a way to win it. He is very worried about what's coming next because he's strongly feeling that there was nothing to do with the action."
That controversial decision, which was eventually overturned after an appeal, set Premier League pundits and fans talking with Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer labelling it ‘one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time’. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "As a referee you can get it wrong on the pitch, you might see something which is incorrect. How on earth Darren England, the VAR, thinks that the referee has got that right and there is no need to send him to the screen."
Shearer added on Match of the Day: "It should have been a yellow card, it is a terrible decision. There was no speed, no intensity, it was not endangering an opponent and was 90 yards from goal, so never, ever a red card. What worries me is there is an assistant VAR and a VAR who have seen several replays and they think it is serious foul play."
In other news, Declan Rice has named an Arsenal star who was 'unbelievable' in Fulham win as he responds to Gabriel injury concern.
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