The Premier League has announced the appointment of a referee for this weekend’s match between Arsenal and Burnley as Mikel Arteta’s side look to continue their run of form.
The Premier League has announced the referee for this weekend’s match between Arsenal and Burnley. Mikel Arteta’s side currently lead the Premier League by four points and will be hoping to further extend their advantage with another win.
The Gunners secured a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend and will face Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. Chris Kavanagh will be the referee for this match, assisted by Dan Cook and Ian Hussin, with Rob Jones handling VAR duties.
Kavanagh refereed Arsenal’s controversial 1-1 draw with Brighton at the Emirates Stadium last season. The match was controversial when England international Declan Rice was sent off by Kavanagh after receiving two yellow cards, the second of which was for kicking the ball away before the Seagulls’ free-kick.
Arsenal manager Arteta has expressed disbelief at Kavanagh’s decision to play a key role in Arsenal dropping points in the title race, football.london reports.
He said: “I was surprised, surprised, surprised, surprised at how inconsistent the decisions were.
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“There were two incidents in the first half, but nothing happened. Then the ball hit Declan (on the back of his foot) in an unimportant area, he turned around, didn’t see any players coming towards him and touched the ball.”
“By law, he can make that call, but by law he has to make the next call. In that case, it’s a red card, so we play 10-on-10. That’s what surprised me. At this level it’s amazing.”
The Premier League released audio from last season’s draw between Arsenal and Brighton on Mic’d Up, in which it was revealed Kavanagh said he had “no choice” but to show Rice a second booking.
“I don’t like it, but he knocked the ball away,” Kavanagh said on the field. “Second yellow. I had no choice. He flicked the ball away. When (Joel Veltman) tried to kick the ball, he flicked the ball away.”
“I don’t have a choice. He put me in a terrible position. Deku, you have to go, I’m sorry.”
Kavanagh has managed Arsenal’s five games since the stalemate against Brighton early last season, winning two, drawing three and losing one.
That only defeat came earlier this season when the Gunners lost 1-0 to Premier League title contenders Liverpool at Anfield in August.
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