Premier League appoints referee for fifth match against Arsenal

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The Premier League has confirmed that Darren England will referee Arsenal’s match against Ipswich Town at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening, assisted by Wade Smith and Akil Howson.

Lewis Smith will act as fourth official, with Alex Chilowicz on VAR and Adam Nunn assisting him.

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This is only the fifth time England have refereed an Arsenal match, and the first time in almost 20 months.

England’s first match involving Arsenal was a 5-0 League Cup win over Nottingham Forest in 2019, and he later refereed Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in 2022, their 4- 2 against Leicester City later that year, and their 4-1 victory against Leeds United in April 2023.

The referee awarded Arsenal a penalty in this Leeds match, converted by Gabriel Jesus. Until last week, that was the last time Jesus scored two or more goals in a match, but he has now done so in consecutive matches.

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England have yet to award either team a red card in a match involving Arsenal, and the same goes for awarding penalties against the Gunners. Another positive omen is that the home team won in all four Arsenal games he refereed.

On the other hand, the last time England refereed Ispwich Town in north London it was their first win of the season – against Tottenham Hotspur. The visitors will be hoping for the same result this time.