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Brighton-Arsenal ref appointed 2 weeks after FA Cup horror show

The Premier League have confirmed their match officials for the next round of fixtures, including Arsenal’s trip away to Brighton on Wednesday.

IPSWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Referee Chris Kavanagh shows a red card to Leif Davis of Ipswich Town, following a foul on Bukayo Saka of Arsenal (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Arsenal FC at Portman Road on April 20, 2025 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

The Premier League have confirmed their next batch of match official appointments for the midweek fixtures, including Arsenal’s game against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday night.

The match will be refereed by Chris Kavanagh, with Dan Cook and Ian Hussin assisting him. The fourth official will be David Webb.

Michael Salisbury will be on VAR, with Sian Massey-Ellis as the assistant VAR.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal interacts with match referee Chris Kavanagh after being shown a second yellow card during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Kavanagh was recently stood down from Premier League officiating after making a number of clear errors in Aston Villa’s FA Cup match against Newcastle United.

Tammy Abraham was offside for Villa’s opening goal (though admittedly that one was on the assistants), Lucas Digne should have seen red for a high tackle on Jacob Murphy, and Digne also clearly handled the ball inside the penalty area – only to see a free-kick awarded.

But Kavanagh returned to the Premier League with the match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace this weekend, and he’ll now referee Arsenal’s game in midweek.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Match Referee Chris Kavanagh gestures as Pedro Neto of Chelsea and Leandro Trossard of Arsenal react during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Arsenal fans will be grateful VAR is in operation in midweek, and they’ll hope Salisbury and Massey-Ellis are ready to correct any further significant errors.

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