Veteran official Stuart Attwell has been confirmed as the head referee for the crucial Premier League encounter between Leeds United and Arsenal this Saturday. Attwell, boasting a distinguished career spanning 16 seasons in England's top flight, will officiate the game at Elland Road.
Attwell's long tenure has seen him oversee 232 Premier League matches since his debut in 2008. His experience extends across the English football hierarchy, with nearly 250 EFL league games under his belt. Historically, Leeds United has achieved favorable results under his whistle, securing 12 victories and three draws in 23 matches. Notably, his recent visits to Elland Road saw Leeds defeat West Ham and Sunderland by identical 2-1 scores. Conversely, Arsenal has a record of 10 wins and seven draws in their 23 matches officiated by Attwell, including a recent EFL Cup quarter-final win and a Premier League draw against Manchester City this season. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team for the match will include Jarred Gillett and Steven Meredith. Attwell's season statistics for 2025/26 show he has officiated 16 games, issuing 72 yellow cards and two red cards. The full officiating team includes Assistant Referees Constantine Hatzidakis and Craig Taylor, and Fourth Official Gavin Ward.
The integrity of the game is paramount, and the detailed appointment of experienced officials like Stuart Attwell and the VAR team underscores the commitment to fair play and precise decision-making in high-stakes Premier League matches. Such comprehensive officiating aims to ensure that every game is conducted with the utmost professionalism, upholding the spirit of competition and delivering a just outcome for all teams involved.