Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Tue 10 March 2026 19:10, UK

David Moyes will not be happy with the Premier League’s latest announcement for Everton’s fixture against Arsenal.

The Toffees will be looking to keep themselves in the race for European football when they travel to the Emirates on 14 March.

It will not be an easy fixture for the Blues, with Arsenal currently top of the Premier League table and in excellent form.

However, with Everton’s next six fixtures pointing to difficulties, then the L3 outfit must pick up points against tough opposition to keep the European dream alive.

Now, Moyes will be looking at Everton’s game against Arsenal with more worry after the Premier League’s latest announcement.

Andy Madley to officiate in Arsenal vs Everton – why David Moyes will be upset

The Premier League have made their official referee appointments for this upcoming weekend’s fixtures, with Andy Madley to take charge in Arsenal against Everton.

Madley will be joined alongside Simon Long and Craig Taylor as his linesmen. John Busby takes the role of fourth official, while Stuart Atwell takes his spot at Stockley Park as VAR alongside his assistant Constantine Hatzidakis.

Moyes, however, will not have fond memories of referee Madley, who was involved in a controversial moment against Everton last season.

As the Toffees took on Manchester United last season, Madley awarded the Blues a penalty in the closing moments of the game.

Ashley Young, who was involved in a holding offence with Matthijs de Ligt, hit the floor, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

However, while many felt Madley made the correct decision to give the foul, he was ultimately influenced by VAR to overturn it.

Speaking after the game, Moyes said: “It looked to me as though the shirt pull was enough for it to be given my feeling is the pull on the jersey, you shouldn’t be getting away with pulling jerseys.”

How Stuart Atwell on VAR will also worry David Moyes

Interestingly, while that incident with Madley stems from a VAR intervention, Everton were embroiled in an incident this campaign with Atwell as well.

With the Toffees trailing Tottenham by one goal back in October, Jake O’Brien had thought he levelled the score.

However, Atwell requested referee Craig Pawson to review the goal at the VAR screen with Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish seemingly impeding Guglielmo Vicario from an offside position.

The Everton duo did not seem to be interfering with the Italian’s ability to save the attempt. Speaking to Goodison News at the time, Keith Hackett stated Atwell was wrong to get involved.

With a tricky test against Arsenal, Moyes will certainly be hoping Everton’s chances of a win are not affected by more errors on the part of both Madley and Atwell.