The Gunners travel to the King Power Stadium for Saturday’s early (12.30pm) kick-off. Arsenal have spent the last week on a warm weather training camp in Dubai, meanwhile Leicester were in FA Cup action on Friday night, exiting the competition thanks to a controversial late Manchester United winner.
Amid frustrations over officials, Leicester may not be too happy with confirmation that Sam Barrott will take charge of the clash against Arsenal. The referee was in charge of the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium back in September.
Arsenal eventually came out as 4-2 winners after being pegged back from 2-0 up at half time. But after the game, former Leicester boss Steve Cooper was unhappy with the call to award a free kick in the build-up to Arsenal’s first goal and not to show Riccardo Calafiori a second yellow card.
“We were very disappointed with a foul not being given on Vards for the first goal," he said in his post-match press conference . "And although we don’t come into games trying to get players sent off, why he hasn’t sent off Calafiori is a little bit beyond belief.”
Barrott has taken charge of an Arsenal game since, with the referee overseeing the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Manchester United in December. Arsenal do have a 100 percent win record over the four games he has taken charge of.
This is, however, the first time he’s refereed a Leicester game since the game at the Emirates Stadium. Last season also saw the referee take charge of games against Hull City and Ipswich, where the Foxes felt like they didn’t get the rub of decisions.
Barrott will be assisted by Tim Wood and Wade Smith with Oliver Langford as fourth official. Unlike the most recent FA Cup games, VAR will be in action with Paul Tierney on VAR duty and assisted by Natalie Aspinall.
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