This update, published on 2 October 2026, confirms the arsenal vs chelsea referee question ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting. Chris Kavanagh takes charge when Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, at the Emirates Stadium, with kick-off at 4:30pm BST.
The Premier League has also confirmed the rest of the officiating team for the London derby.
- Assistant referees: Dan Cook and Tim Wood
- Fourth official: Tom Bramall
- VAR: Darren England
- Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis
Chris Kavanagh’s record refereeing Arsenal
Kavanagh is a familiar face for Arsenal supporters. He has refereed the club 29 times across his career, with Arsenal winning 16 of those matches, drawing seven and losing six.
His recent record favours the home side too. Last season, Arsenal won four of the five Premier League matches Kavanagh took charge of, with their only defeat coming away at Liverpool. Arsenal fans will hope that trend holds again this weekend, even if past results are no guarantee once the game kicks off.
Key team statistics ahead of Emirates clash
Chelsea arrive at the Emirates as the Premier League’s top scorers this season, underlining the attacking threat Xabi Alonso’s side brings into north London. Arsenal, though, have not conceded a single league goal so far this campaign, a sign of how well Mikel Arteta’s defence has settled.
The hosts also carry a strong recent record against this particular opponent. Arsenal are unbeaten in 11 consecutive meetings with Chelsea across all competitions, a run that sets up an intriguing contrast between Chelsea’s firepower and Arsenal’s defensive record.
Who is the Arsenal vs Chelsea referee?
The arsenal vs chelsea referee is Chris Kavanagh, the Premier League official taking charge at the Emirates Stadium. Darren England has the VAR duties at Stockley Park, with the rest of the team confirmed above.
Supporters can also follow how similar video reviews have played out recently in our recent VAR decisions explained analysis from the Sunderland win, since England’s calls will again come under scrutiny at a sold-out Emirates.
What happens next
The appointment stands as published, with no further changes expected before kick-off. Supporters can revisit the full build-up in our original referee announcement article, and catch up on our wider head-to-head record and results coverage from this season. Saturday’s game pits Chelsea’s leading attack against a defence yet to be beaten, under the watch of a referee whose Arsenal fixtures have broken the home side’s way more often than not.
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