The EFL have now confirmed their match official appointments for Wednesday’s League Cup game between Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Following another Premier League win at the weekend, Arsenal’s attentions now turn to the League Cup, with the Gunners hosting Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night.
The EFL have already confirmed their match officials for the fixture, with Sam Barrott to referee, assisted by Wade Smith and Akil Howson, with James Linington as the fourth official.
There will be no VAR official, as VAR isn’t in place for this stage of the League Cup, even for matches at Premier League grounds involving two Premier League teams.
Arsenal can’t really be too disappointed with the appointment of Barrott for the match. The Gunners have won all five games Barrott has refereed, receiving just five yellow cards, no red cards, and having no penalties awarded to their opponents.
The most controversial it gets is that Mikel Arteta was handed a yellow card by Barrott following his celebrations for Arsenal’s late winner over Luton Town in 2023, forcing him to miss a match through suspension. But even Arteta admitted that was the right call.
Barrott was also in the spotlight after failing to hand a red card to James Tarkowski for a foul on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister last season, which the PGMOL admitted was the wrong decision. But Arsenal were only indirectly affected by Tarkowski’s lack of suspension against the Gunners.
On the other hand, the fact Brighton have received three penalties from Barrott in just six games is a potential cause for concern. Arsenal have done well not to concede a penalty this season, and they won’t want that run to end.