Premier League confirm controversial referee and VAR appointments for Fulham vs Arsenal clash

Arsenal return to action after October's international break this weekend with a trip to Fulham and the Premier League have now confirmed the officials appointed.

The Premier League have announced which officials will take charge of games this weekend with two, potentially, controversial decisions made for Arsenal's clash against Fulham. As they play on Saturday evening, the Gunners will be aiming to open up a four-point gap at the top before Liverpool face Manchester United the following day.

Roughly 10 days ago, the Gunners beat West Ham United to move above Liverpool and they have remained there over October's international break after Arne Slot's side were beaten by Chelsea.

This weekend, Arsenal play first but, arguably, have the harder fixture as they travel to Craven Cottage while the champions are at home to struggling Man Utd. They have lost three consecutive games and therefore desperately need a win.

Big decisions could ultimately decide the outcome of their upcoming clash with referee Michael Oliver having the whistle, while Darren England is on VAR.

The former has been right at the centre of numerous controversies involving Arsenal - with Myles Lewis-Skelly's wrongfully dismissed in last season's win over Wolves. The Premier League have also confirmed match officials for other games with Arsenal also handed two controversial appointments.

Refereeing their London derby against Fulham will be Anthony Taylor, while Stuart Attwell has been selected for VAR. Assisting the latter will be Craig Taylor - with Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn and Sam Barrott on location to help Taylor.

He has so far enjoyed a decent start to the campaign but past incorrect decisions are still lingering. One of those arrived during last season's 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool when he blew up for a soft foul that denied Arsenal what would have likely been the game-winner.

Controversial calls have been made VAR lead Attwell this season, however, with a rather high-profile one coming just before October's international break in Man Utd's 2-0 win over Sunderland. Attwell had initially pointed to the penalty spot for a high foot on Benjamin Sesko.

However, replays showed that minimal, if any, contact was made - with VAR required to overturn the decision. Arsenal have been on the end of some 50/50 decisions with one of those coming in the victory over Newcastle United when Viktor Gyokeres was fouled in the penalty area, but it was overturned by VAR.

Speaking in a press conference, Mikel Arteta said: "I've watched it live and then I watched it on the screen and for me it was a penalty. We were instructed very clearly again this season that unless it's a clear and obvious error, the referee isn't going to intervene. It's not.

"So that's my opinion. We find a way to win the game. The team is still emotionally very, very, very calm and very composed. And that's a lesson that we took as well, probably from a few years ago."

Darren England was the man that recommended a review to Jarred Gillett and he will be back at Stockley Park this weekend as the lead operator for Liverpool against Man Utd and assistant to Alex Chilowicz for Bournemouth's trip to Crystal Palace.