Newcastle United take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, but Mikel Arteta will likely be left fuming with a recent Premier League announcement.

While the Magpies are preparing for a Carabao Cup clash against Bradford on Wednesday evening, Eddie Howe will surely have an eye on the big test against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle United have lost just one of their five opening Premier League games, but have only won once so far. It has not been a terrible start by any means, as Newcastle have set a record for 0-0 draws away from home.

While it is an unwanted record from an attacking perspective, Howe will be pleased with the way his side has defended so far away from home. Having already suffered defeat against Liverpool at St James’ Park, Newcastle face another big test when they welcome Arsenal to Tyneside.

Newcastle need to get some momentum in the Premier League, but in the meantime, the Premier League have made its official refereeing appointments for the clash.

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Jarred Gillett to referee Newcastle United vs Arsenal

Jarred Gillett has refereed a total of 13 games involving Newcastle in the past, with the Magpies winning seven of them.

His most recent game involving Newcastle was the humbling 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa in April, which was managed by Jason Tindall while Howe was away on medical grounds.

It has been confirmed on the Premier League website that Gillett will be the person with the whistle on Sunday, a decision which Arteta may be worried about.

In 2023, Gillett officiated Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa. During the game, Arsenal had a goal chalked off due to a handball from Kai Havertz, a decision that was upheld by VAR. Additionally, Gillett failed to award a penalty during the game when Douglas Luiz put in a wild challenge on Gabriel Jesus.

The defeat proved to be a costly one for Arsenal, who lost the title race to Manchester City by two points.

After the Villa game, Arteta bit his tongue over the decisions, but his anger still seeped through in his comments.

“That’s what I mean, clear and obvious. That’s my opinion, that’s all I can say. I will not speak about it anymore.”

Newcastle United had a run-in with Jarred Gillett in 2022

Newcastle fans will be in great voice against Arsenal, and there is a good chance the hilarious ‘it must be the ball’ chant will return when the two sides meet at St James’ Park.

There have been some eventful games between the two sides at St James’ Park in recent seasons. Perhaps none more so than the meeting in 2023, where VAR awarded Newcastle a goal despite replays showing the ball going out of play in the build-up, Arteta called the decision a ‘disgrace’ after the match.

The 2022/23 campaign will be remembered as the season where Newcastle confirmed their return to the Champions League. Howe’s side looked unstoppable at times, with the likes of Callum Wilson putting up his best number of goals to help the Magpies finish fourth in the Premier League.

Gillett refereed four games involving Newcastle that season, with most of them coming and going without much issue. However, during a thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester City in August, VAR had to intervene after Gillett wrongly sent Kieran Trippier off.

The Australian referee was forced to overturn his decision and cautioned Trippier instead.