The Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City is almost here, and the EFL have appointed the referee for the game.
The two sides have developed a fierce rivalry in recent seasons, and there have been a few altercations on the pitch between their players.
Gabby Agbonlahor has predicted a ‘spicy’ game, so the referee will have a lot on his hands at Wembley on Sunday.
Early predictions, who will come out on top when Arsenal face Man City at Wembley?
Peter Bankes appointed as the referee for Arsenal vs Manchester City Carabao Cup final
The EFL have confirmed that Peter Bankes will be the referee when Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Neil Davies and Steve Meredith will be his two assistants, while Tom Bramall will serve as the fourth official.
As for VAR, John Brooks has been tasked with that responsibility, and he will have Dan Robathan as his assistant in front of the screens.
Bankes is no stranger to officiating big Arsenal games. His last such fixture was the North London Derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The 43-year-old was involved in some controversy in that game when he ruled out Randal Kolo Muani’s goal for a push on Gabriel Magalhaes.
Sam Allardyce called that an ‘outrageously bad decision’, and Tottenham fans were furious with that call as well.
However, Bankes stuck to his guns and defended his decision on the Match Officials Mic’d Up review show.
He said: “There’s nothing I felt I missed, not at all. I’m still comfortable. Obviously, different speeds can make things look different. In slow motion, it can look different to what you see live.
“I get one look at it, and I was more than happy that the two hands on the back had enough impact and was an offence. Yes, I understand there’s going to be split opinions on it, but for me, I’m still comfortable that that is enough for a free-kick.”
Honest answers only, should Tottenham’s second goal have been disallowed?
Was Gabriel lucky here?
Arsenal and Manchester City’s records with Peter Bankes as the referee
Arsenal and Manchester City’s records when Peter Bankes has been the referee are very different.
The Gunners have had the official in charge for 14 games over the years. They have won 10 and lost just three, and have never had a player sent off.
City, on the other hand, have played 12 games when Bankes has been the referee, won six and lost five. The referee showed a red card to John Stones during a game against Aston Villa back in 2021.
How do you feel about Peter Bankes being appointed as the referee for Arsenal vs Manchester City Carabao Cup final?
If you’re wondering if Bankes has refereed a game between Arsenal and Manchester City before, he has done it once.
That came at the Emirates Stadium last season, when the Gunners battered Pep Guardiola’s side 5-1.
Arsenal fans will hope for a repeat of the same in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
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