The Carabao Cup enters the fourth round of this season’s competition, as plenty of clubs battle it out to win the first piece of available silverware this campaign.
Among those drawn against each other are Arsenal and Brighton, who will both aim to stop their trophy drought in the months ahead.
Only one team can go through, and there will be some key decisions which will decide their fate, especially when it comes to the referee on the night.
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The match officials at the Emirates Stadium will be without VAR, however, making for an interesting potential double-edged sword for the Premier League outfits.
Anthony Taylor looks at the VAR during Fulham vs Arsenal
Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
EFL decide against VAR for Carabao Cup fourth round
As with many of the competitions, there are different rules for the Carabao Cup compared to the Premier League.
The EFL run the competition, so they have the decision on when VAR can be used for certain rounds.
With it being the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, the decision has been made to go without it for now, with so many teams still competing.
There is only guaranteed to be a VAR in place for the final of the competition, held at Wembley Stadium, though it can be brought forward.
Last season saw VAR in operation for the Carabao Cup semi-finals, in which Arsenal fell to defeat against Newcastle.
Earlier rounds had brought about controversy from the lack of VAR, resulting in some teams losing after a decision that could’ve been overturned.
However, given the frustration with the technology in recent seasons, there is some joy from the fan experience with the lack of VAR.
It could end up being a double-edged sword for either team, depending on the outcome of decisions from the match.
Those will fall to the match officials now put in charge of the Gunners and the Seagulls on Wednesday night.
Sam Barrott looks on during Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Who is the referee and the match officials for Arsenal vs Brighton
With such a big game in the context of the season for both Arsenal and Brighton, there will be some huge decisions to be made.
The lack of VAR means decisions will fall squarely on the shoulders of the match officials placed in charge of the Carabao Cup tie.
The EFL have announced that Sam Barrott will be in charge of the tie as the referee, with differing results for each team when he has been in charge.
Club Matches Wins Draws Defeats
Arsenal 5 5 0 0
Brighton 6 2 3 1
Sam Barrott’s record vs Arsenal and Brighton.
Arsenal are unbeaten in all five games they have played with Barrott as the referee, while Brighton have only won two of six.
He will be joined by Wade Smith and Akil Howson as the officials running the line, while James Linington is the fourth official.