In their final Premier League match of 2023, Arsenal travel across London to Fulham on Sunday, but who is the referee for the clash?
Arsenal were dealt a huge blow at the hands of West Ham in their last match. Their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium leaves them two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Their opponents, Fulham, are in a peculiar run of form. Despite enjoying an EFL Cup run, the Cottagers have lost their last three league games, scoring no goals and conceding eight. The two games before that, however, they won 5-0 back-to-back.
Both Mikel Arteta and Marco Silva have expressed their criticism and frustration about the quality of officiating in England of late, so let’s take a look at who the referee will be for their match on New Year’s Eve.
Fulham vs Arsenal Referee And Premier League Match Officials
(Sunday, 31st December 2023)
- Referee: Josh Smith
- Assistants: Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh
- Fourth official: Tim Robinson
- VAR: Paul Tierney
- Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger
Has Josh Smith Refereed Arsenal Or Fulham This Season?
Josh Smith has yet to referee a match involving Arsenal this season. However, he did take charge of Fulham’s 5-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest.
He also officiated Fulham’s EFL Cup second-round match against Tottenham, a game they won on penalties.
Josh Smith Premier League Referee Stats 2023/24
Sunday’s match between Fulham and Arsenal will see Smith take charge of only his fourth Premier League game of the season. Smith has mainly officiated in the EFL Championship, taking charge of 16 matches as well as one League One game.
Across his three Premier League games, Smith has dished out 11 yellow cards, an average of 3.67 per game. He has also handed out two red cards and one penalty.
It’s also interesting to note that, at age 31, Smith is one of the youngest referees in the professional game. He started refereeing in 2006, at age 14, following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a referee in football.
Josh Smith Premier League Stats Summary 2023/24
- Matches: 3
- Red Cards: 2
- Yellow Cards: 11
- Penalties: 1
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