The Premier League have confirmed their match officials for the opening weekend of fixtures, including Arsenal’s trip to face Manchester United on Sunday.
arsenal fc v nottingham forest fc premier league 2
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The Premier League have officially announced their full list of appointments for the opening weekend of the 2025/26 season, with Arsenal kicking off the new campaign away to Manchester United.
Simon Hooper will referee the fixture, assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long. Jarred Gillett will act as the fourth official, with Paul Tierney on VAR and Steve Meredith as the assistant VAR.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal speaks with referee, Simon Hooper during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Emirates Stadium on November 23, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Arsenal’s record with Hooper refereeing is largely positive, with the Gunners winning nine, drawing two, and losing two of their matches with the referee in charge. Both defeats were in the League Cup.
Hooper has never awarded a red card to Arsenal or their opponents, nor a penalty, so his matches involving the Gunners have largely been uncontroversial.
The referee has awarded two penalties to Manchester United though, and none against them.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Referee Paul Tierney checks with VAR during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on April 15, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Perhaps the slightly more worrying appointment is Paul Tierney on VAR, after the official was involved in a controversial decision not to award a penalty to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Tierney was also on VAR for that game, but chose not to recommend a review for Alexis Mac Allister’s handball.
Arsenal’s trips to Old Trafford have involved plenty of controversial refereeing decisions in the past, but hopefully this weekend will be more straightforward.
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