Andy Madley will referee Liverpool vs Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, his first Premier League big-six clash in two-and-a-half years

Referee Andy Madley will oversee his first Premier League big-six fixture in two-and-a-half years as Liverpool welcome Arsenal this weekend. The Gunners travel to Anfield on Sunday looking to reclaim top spot from Manchester City after losing their place at the summit earlier this month.

Mikel Arteta will have to pick his side up from the disappointing defeat to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup, where they were beaten on penlaties by the League Two side.

As for Liverpool, Andoni Iraola's side required penalties to eliminate Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in midweek, yet they head into the clash on Merseyside in fine fettle.

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Madley, now in his eighth season as a Premier League official, last officiated a big-six encounter back in March 2024, when Manchester City ran out 3-1 winners over United.

He went on to take charge of the FA Cup Final that year, making his appointment to this weekend's fixture something of a surprise. It represents only the sixth occasion Madley has refereed an Arsenal match in the top flight, with the most recent coming in March, a 2-0 victory over Everton.

The Gunners have won two and lost one of their previous five matches under Madley. In comparison, he has overseen 17 Liverpool fixtures in the Premier League, with the Reds emerging victorious in 9 of those, including the commanding 7-0 demolition of Manchester United in 2023.

Madley has found himself at the centre of several contentious incidents over the years, including one that resulted in Arsenal being fined for failure to control their players during a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United.

The Gunners were convinced they should have been awarded a spot-kick late on, but referee Andrew Madley waved away their appeals.

The flashpoint occurred deep into stoppage time after Granit Xhaka broke free on the by-line and attempted to deliver a cross, which appeared to strike Magpies midfielder Jacob Murphy.

The Newcastle man had slid in to position his body in front of the ball, trying to tuck his arm behind his midriff upon contact.

Madley felt that Murphy's arm was in a natural position, a verdict with which VAR agreed. The Arsenal players were incensed, with Arteta pacing up and down the touchline to voice his own displeasure at the referee's refusal to point to the spot.

Players surrounded the officials in protest, which ultimately resulted in bookings for dissent. The FA deemed Arsenal's on-field behaviour improper, issuing a statement that read: "Arsenal FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 following its Premier League match against Newcastle United FC on Tuesday 3 January 2023.

"It is alleged that Arsenal FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 95th minute, and the club has until Tuesday 10 January 2023 to respond."

The was little surprise with the charge, though the ruling's decision not to include any action against Arteta himself raised some eyebrows. Fourth official Jarred Gillet repeatedly urged the Spaniard to compose himself, but to no avail.

Arteta was incensed and continued to make his feelings known, ultimately provoking a response from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who felt that his conduct was crossing the line.