Arsenal will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Gunners aimed to be at the top of the table at this stage, and they have found themselves six points clear. What’s surprising is that Enzo Maresca’s side are the team right below them – not Liverpool or Manchester City.
That makes the derby on Sunday a great watch for the neutral, and the Premier League have confirmed the officials for the game.
Anthony Taylor confirmed as the referee for Chelsea vs Arsenal
Anthony Taylor will be the referee when Chelsea host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn will be his assistants, with Sam Barrott acting as the fourth official. John Brooks has been put on VAR duty, with Eddie Smart assisting him.
Taylor is a very experienced referee and has been involved in some huge games over the years.
The last time he officiated a game between Arsenal and Chelsea was the FA Cup final in 2020. Mikel Arteta’s side won that game, and the Gunners boss will be hoping for the same on Sunday.
Arsenal’s record when Anthony Taylor has been the referee👀
Anthony Taylor has officiated 56 Arsenal games over the years. The Gunners have won 32, drawn 16 and lost just eight times.
However, Taylor has made the headlines in a few Arsenal games in the past.
One of them was on the opening day of the 2013/14 season, when Arsene Wenger’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa at home.
Taylor awarded two penalties to the Villans and also sent Laurent Koscielny off. It was a terrible day at the office for the Gunners, and Wenger was far from happy with the officiating.
After the game, the Frenchman said, as per talkSPORT: “I didn’t like the spirit with which he [Taylor] refereed this game. That, for me, is the most worrying thing, more than the decisions he made.
“I was quite amazed how stubborn his behaviour was through the whole game. I was really amazed.”
Arsene Wenger was banned for four games after another altercation with Anthony Taylor
In January 2017, over three years after the above incident, Wenger had another altercation with Taylor.
Arsenal hosted Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, and the Gunners were hanging on to a one-goal lead after Granit Xhaka had been sent off.
In second-half stoppage time, a penalty was awarded to the visitors, and Wenger was furious.
Taylor, who was the fourth official on the day, was confronted by the former Arsenal boss, who told him, as per The Guardian: ‘You are dishonest to your federation.’
Wenger was also accused of pushing Taylor twice after he was given his marching orders.
The legendary Arsenal manager was punished for his actions. He received a four-match ban and was fined £25,000 by the FA.
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