Newcastle United now know who will referee Sunday’s game against Arsenal.
Eddie Howe’s side are preparing for their final away game of the campaign, knowing that victory will effectively guarantee Champions League football for next season.
It is another massive game for Newcastle United, against a side they have beaten three times already this season.
The Magpies have a perfect record against Arsenal during 2024/25. They have won all three meetings without even conceding a goal.
Referee announced for Arsenal vs Newcastle United
As Newcastle aim to make it four wins out of four, the Premier League have confirmed who the officials will be for the match at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Simon Hooper will be the referee on Sunday, with Michael Salisbury on VAR duty.
Salisbury recently took charge of Newcastle’s win over Ipswich, and was heavily criticised during that game. Newcastle’s disallowed goal was controversial, while Paul Merson said the penalty the Magpies received was soft.
While Salisbury is the VAR official, it is Hooper who will take centre stage.
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He has refereed four Newcastle United games this season, including the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Arsenal.
Hooper also oversaw away defeats to Chelsea and Brentford, plus Newcastle’s victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in December.
Bruno Guimaraes criticised Simon Hooper
Bruno Guimaraes will pay close attention to the appointment of Hooper, as he was critical of the 43-year-old back in October.
Newcastle United lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
While the Magpies were not particularly impressive during their outing in West London, a major decision went against them when the score was 0-0.
Bruno burst into the box with the ball, as he aimed to break the deadlock. However, the Newcastle United captain was tripped up by Levi Colwill.
The Chelsea defender even admitted he had done wrong, protesting to Hooper that the foul was outside the box rather than inside.
The referee waved play on, as VAR determined that Colwill was indeed right.
But the incident should have resulted in Newcastle having a free-kick in an incredibly dangerous position, much to the dismay of Bruno.
After the game, Bruno said the referee made a clear mistake after being asked if he was denied a goalscoring opportunity.
“Of course, of course,” he said.
“It is a clear foul. In my point of view, they should at least check because it was a one-v-one chance and maybe a red card. The same player got another yellow card so if he had got a yellow card he would be sent off.
“They should check but we should avoid speaking about referees.”