Pep Guardiola has already complained at Arsenal v Newcastle United referee after Man City drama
The referee appointed for Arsenal v Newcastle United has already attracted criticism from Pep Guardiola this season.
Newcastle United visit Arsenal on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:30pm) as the hosts look to return to the top of the Premier League table.
The Gunners lost 2-1 at Manchester City on Sunday before Pep Guardiola’s side moved into pole position last night following a 1-0 victory at relegated Burnley.
Only goals scored separate the two clubs having played the same number of matches and accumulated the same points (70) and goal difference (+37).
Man City are in the FA Cup semi-final action this weekend against Southampton at Wembley, meaning Arsenal will move back into top spot if they avoid defeat at home to a struggling Newcastle.
Newcastle are in the midst of a dreadful run of results - losing four on the bounce, and eight in their last 11 in the Premier League. Sitting 14th in the Premier League, Eddie Howe is under increasing pressure.
Arsenal v Newcastle United referee appointment confirmed
For their own reasons, both clubs are desperate for a result and overseeing the match at the Emirates is Sam Barrott.
The Gunners had won all three of their matches officiated by Barrott - Brighton in the Carabao Cup and Everton and Sunderland in the Premier League - until their shock FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Championship high-flyers Southampton earlier this month.
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Newcastle, meanwhile, have beaten Man City and drawn away to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, before losing 3-1 at home to Guardiola’s men.
Barrott will be assisted by Tim Wood and Wade Smith while Steve Martin is the fourth official. Jarred Gillett is the VAR with Adrian Holmes as assistant VAR.
Gillett was the man in the middle for the reverse meeting at St James’ Park, awarding Viktor Gyokeres a first-half penalty before overturning it following a VAR review. Newcastle then had a penalty appeal turned down when Anthony Elanga’s cross hit the outstretched arm of Gabriel.
Arteta was furious at the decision to overturn Gyokeres’ penalty but ultimately it didn’t matter as his side scored twice in the closing stages to cancel out Nick Woltemade’s opener and win 2-1.
Pep Guardiola previously unhappy at Sam Barrott
With Arsenal and Man City, of course, locked in a title battle, it should be noted that Guardiola voiced his frustration with Barrott and his VAR team following Man City’s Premier League defeat at St James’ Park in November.
Guardiola felt Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku should have been awarded penalties after Foden was on the end of a late challenge by Fabian Schar, while Doku’s shot hit the arm of Malick Thiaw.
The Spaniard refused to comment on the incidents immediately after the game, instead waiting until the Citizens’ 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win on Tyneside in January—the game in which Antoine Semenyo controversially had a second goal chalked off for offside.
Guardiola said: “I say now I’d like to know why VAR in the 60th minute of the Premier League game against Newcastle, that we lost 2-1, it was 0-0 and it was a penalty for [Fabian] Schar on Phil Foden, not even consideration. In the 20th minute, there is an unbelievable penalty for the shot for Jeremy Doku off the hand, and not even VAR.
“Today, four people were not able to decide because the line was, I don’t know, but the second goal Newcastle scored [in November] the line was perfect. I’m not suspicious of that in 10 years.
“I didn’t say anything when we lost 2-1 here. I didn’t say anything in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace - it is a red card after 30 or 40 minutes for [Dean] Henderson. Okay, it’s fine, but the fact we didn’t say. I’m pretty sure Howard Webb is going to call me tomorrow to make explanations for that."