Daniel Farke won’t be happy at announcement already made for Leeds United vs Arsenal
Leeds United will need to be on the absolute top of their game if they are to take anything from Saturday’s clash with Arsenal.
Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League, despite what can be perceived as a slight wobble of late.
Leeds drew 1-1 with Everton in their most recent match, meanwhile, to keep the feel-good factor firmly alive under Daniel Farke.
While transfer talk continues to dominate for Leeds, Farke will simply be focused on the task at hand on the field.
And tests at Elland Road do not come any tougher than this weekend when Arsenal make the trip to West Yorkshire.
Referee announced for Leeds vs Arsenal
Leeds need the big calls to go their way this week, which is why confirmation of the referee for the clash may not go down well.
As announced by the Premier League, Stuart Attwell will take charge of the match.
Attwell has previous with Daniel Farke, having sent off the German during a Championship match last season.
Farke was dismissed against Sunderland for celebrating a last-gasp winner from Pascal Struijk.
Only one other time has Attwell refereed a Leeds game over the past couple of seasons, with that coming in the 2-1 win over West Ham in October.
Attwell was at the centre of some contentious Leeds calls, including a big moment when he decided against sending off Lucas Paqueta despite the Brazilian sarcastically applauding him.
And Leeds fans as well as Farke have further reason to be concerned by Attwell’s appointment.
Arsenal’s record under Stuart Attwell
Arsenal have won five, drawn one and lost two of their past eight matches that Attwell have officiated, most recently beating Crystal Palace on penalties in the EFL Cup quarter-finals in December.
Attwell has not sent off a player in any of the past 12 Arsenal matches he has taken charge of, stretching back to a red card being shown to David Luiz against Chelsea in January 2020.
Farke’s history with Attwell, and that incident against Sunderland last year, is pretty well documented.
Given the size of the task Leeds face against Arsenal, it is imperative Attwell gets the big calls – of which there will no doubt be a few – spot on.
Stay up to date this winter with our Leeds transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Elland Road, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.