Arsenal fans won't be happy with Premier League referee announcement for Ipswich Town

The mood around the Emirates Stadium is jubilant this week having progressed past Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter finals and there may be little that can be done to drag the Gunners down ahead of a trip to struggling Ipswich Town in the Premier League on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side have dropped points in both of their last two top flight outings, drawing against Brentford and Everton, but will be confident of getting a result at Portman Road against the relegation-threatened Tractor Boys. There are only two fixtures before the Champions League semi final against Paris Saint-Germain with Arsenal looking to build up form.

While the first team and supporters will make the journey to Ipswich in high spirits, news of who will be refereeing the clash could come with some frustration for the north London outfit.

Premier League confirms Ipswich Town v Arsenal referee

The Premier League has confirmed the officials for the upcoming round of fixtures and it is Chris Kavanagh who will oversee the match between Ipswich Town and Arsenal. Dan Cook and Richard West will be his assistants and Tom Nield is the fourth official. Darren England is on VAR with Steve Meredith his assistant.

Kavanagh was the referee in charge when Declan Rice was sent off against Brighton in August in one of the league’s more controversial moments of the season. The England international was given his marching orders having nudged the ball away from a Seagulls free-kick, picking up a second yellow card. Salt was rubbed in Arsenal wounds with that decision with Rice having been hacked at by Joel Veltman just before.

Arsenal anger had been building in that match with Joao Pedro running the ball out of play and then kicking the ball away to slow down the Gunners throw in, but was not shown a booking. When asked what he had heard from the Premier League after the match, Arteta said: “None, like always. If it happens in the game in a consistent way that’s fine, but it didn’t happen, there were a number of occasions where they kicked the ball away and nothing happened.

“So it’s inconsistency, especially because as well it’s in an area where it’s not critical. On top of that you made that call, then you have to give a red card as well. If we had to play with 10, they had to play with 10 because it’s a red card for Veltman.

"I was amazed. Amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be. In the first half there are two decisions and nothing happens. In the second half in a non critical area Declan is not even looking. By law if you want to do it you can do it, but you don’t have to.​​​​​​"

The audio from that decision by Kavanagh later emerged with the referee admitting he wasn’t a fan of the rule, but had to send Rice off. He told the player while on the pitch: "Dec, you need to go. I don't like it [the rule], I don't like it. But [Rice has] knocked the ball. He's kicked the ball. Dec, you need to go I'm afraid."

Howard Webb explains controversial Chris Kavanagh decision

Explaining the referee’s decision, PGMOL chief Howard Webb said: "He's clearly seen Declan Rice commit a foul, then kick the ball away from an opponent in the process of taking a free-kick.

"We've messaged - clearly and strongly - to the players in pre-season about the importance of not getting involved with the ball once the whistle has gone, not delaying the restart in that way. "We've said we would be consistent in the way we have handled this, in the same way we did last season. The number of yellow cards for delaying the restart nearly doubled last season. Because people want to see the game with tempo and flow.

"Once he has seen Declan Rice deliberately and clearly kick the ball away from the position of that free-kick then I don't think he has any choice but to send him off."

In other news, Unai Emery has already told Arsenal how to beat PSG in Champions League semi-final.