Premier League appoint officials for Arsenal-Wolves ‘PGMOL derby’ | OneFootball

Amid the current refereeing controversy surrounding both clubs, the Premier League have appointed their officials for Arsenal’s game against Wolves on Saturday.

It’s fair to say Arsenal and Wolves aren’t exactly on good terms with the PGMOL right now.

Mikel Arteta is currently facing an FA charge of misconduct for comments he made about the officials following Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United, and he may end up being suspended for Saturday’s game.

On the other side, Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said on Monday that he was finally turning against VAR, arguing the decisions against his side in their clash with Fulham had cost them a result.

Wolves previously received an apology from the PGMOL for their failure to award them a penalty for a foul by Andre Onana of Manchester United, and O’Neil later complained about penalties awarded in matches against Newcastle United and Sheffield United.

So in what is now being dubbed the “PGMOL derby”, Arsenal will take on Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, and the Premier League have confirmed their match official appointments for the clash.

Peter Bankes is set to referee the game, assisted by Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh. Thomas Bramall will be the fourth official, with John Brooks on VAR assisted by Neil Davies.

Bankes has refereed both teams before the past, taking seven Arsenal games and 18 Wolves games, quite a few of which were when he was still a Championship referee.

Both teams have a winning record with Bankes officiating, with Arsenal winning four, drawing one, and losing two, whilst Wolves have won eight, drawn five, and lost five.

Bankes was refereeing the controversial 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Brentford last season, with the infamous case of the VAR official forgetting to draw the lines. But in fairness to Bankes, that had nothing to do with him as the on-field referee.