The Premier League have confirmed the match officials to referee this weekend’s fixtures, including Arsenal’s game against Manchester United.
The Premier League have officially confirmed the match officials for Arsenal’s match against Manchester United on Sunday, with Craig Pawson to referee the clash assisted by Lee Betts and Mat Wilkes. Tom Bramall will be the fourth official.
Paul Tierney will be on VAR, with Dan Robathan completing the officiating team as the assistant VAR.
Pawson had an eight-month stretch without refereeing Arsenal games after he dismissed Myles Lewis-Skelly against West Ham United in February.
Though Lewis-Skelly did bring down Mohammed Kudus and arguably denied a goalscoring opportunity, the foul on the halfway line was far from a “clear” opportunity, and Kudus elbowed Lewis-Skelly in the head before the foul.
In Pawson’s defence, he initially showed a yellow card, only for VAR to recommend an upgrade. But both Pawson and the VAR official missed Kudus’ initial offence whilst conducting their reviews.
Pawson then returned to refereeing Arsenal in November, taking the Gunners’ away draw to Sunderland.
Mikel Arteta’s side are now on a three-game run without a win under Pawson, but they do have a positive record overall, with 18 wins, five draws, and 11 defeats with the official.
The last time he refereed this particular fixture of Arsenal vs Manchester United, the Gunners won 3-1.