Arsenal-City ref ends near 2-year Gunners absence after prior controversy | OneFootball

Stuart Attwell will referee an Arsenal fixture for the first time in almost two years this weekend, following the controversy surrounding his last Gunners game.

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The Premier League have confirmed their match official appointments for this weekend’s round of fixtures, and Stuart Attwell is set to referee the match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

Attwell will be assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis and Nick Hopton, with Craig Pawson as the fourth official. Liverpool fan Jarred Gillett will be on VAR, with Ian Hussin as the assistant VAR.

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It’s been a while since Attwell has refereed an Arsenal game, and perhaps for good reason. The controversy surrounding his last Gunners match was substantial, and perhaps one of the biggest furores involving Arsenal and refereeing in recent history – which is saying something.

For anyone unaware, Attwell’s last match refereeing Arsenal was away to Newcastle United in November 2023.

There were multiple controversial incidents, including one in Arsenal’s favour, a yellow card for Kai Havertz that perhaps could have been red.

But the majority went against the Gunners, with Bruno Guimaraes avoiding a sending-off (or even a yellow card) for an elbow to the back of Jorginho’s head, before Newcastle’s winning goal stood despite three potential reasons to rule it out.

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Mikel Arteta was furious after the match and made his feelings clear in a TV interview.

He was charged by the FA as they suggested his comments were insulting to match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or brought the game into disrepute, but the charge was eventually dismissed over a month later as they failed to prove their allegations.

With all the media attention on the refereeing, the PGMOL didn’t appoint Attwell to an Arsenal game throughout 2024, nor 2025 up until now. But perhaps it’s felt that it’s been long enough, and the referee will take on a big game between the Gunners and City on Sunday.