Forest-Arsenal ref set for just 7th Gunners game in 8 years | OneFootball

Andy Madley will referee an Arsenal Premier League match for just the fourth time this Wednesday, taking charge of the Gunners’ game against Nottingham Forest.

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The Premier League have confirmed their appointments of officials for Arsenal’s game away to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, with Andy Madley to referee, assisted by Eddie Smart and Craig Taylor.

The fourth official will be Anthony Taylor, with Michael Salisbury on VAR, and Lee Betts as the assistant VAR.

Madley has refereed Arsenal matches twice this season, but this is the first in the Premier League since the 2022/23 campaign.

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Madley’s other two matches refereeing Arsenal this season were the 3-2 League Cup win over Crystal Palace, and the penalty shootout FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

That means this is the first game this season where Madley will referee with the help of VAR.

There were controversial incidents in both cup ties, with Gabriel Jesus possibly offside for one of his goals against Palace, Kai Havertz earning a dubious penalty against United, and Manuel Ugarte getting away with a headbutt on the Arsenal man.

But Madley couldn’t get help from VAR for any of the three decisions. He did at least get Diogo Dalot’s red card right first time around.

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Arsenal fans won’t be too keen to remember the last time Madley refereed their team in the Premier League, as it was the 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in 2023. He also reffed the 0-0 draw with Newcastle United that same season.

Up against an impressive Nottingham Forest side in midweek, Arsenal have their work cut out to ensure this isn’t another instance of dropped points.

Madley’s only other two games refereeing Arsenal were a 1-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa in 2022 and a 2-1 win over Norwich City in the 2017 League Cup.