Howard Webb Refs Arsenal Game

Last updated : 13 October 2006 By Gary Holmes

The 35-year-old is well known on the Premiership circuit having being elected to the Select Group of referee's in 2003.

Webb has taken charge of five Premiership games so far this season, sending off two players, Charlton Athletics' Djimi Traore during the Addicks opening day defeat at West Ham United, and more recently Manchester City's Ousmane Dabo in their televised reversal at Reading in early September.

A glance back in time shows the Yorkshire born official did not take charge of any game involving Watford last season, although he did officiate in four matches involving our opponents Arsenal, including an odd goal in three Charity Shield defeat at the hands of Chelsea to mark the start of the 2005/06 campaign.

It is interesting to note the other fixtures involving Webb and Arsenal last season also ended with the Gunners winless.

The Rotherham official presided over a Carling Cup Semi-Final First leg loss to Wigan Athletic in January (0-1), while the two other fixtures, both incidentally against Bolton Wanderers, ended with a defeat at the Reebok (0-2) followed by a share of the spoils in the return at Highbury in February 2006 (1-1).

Webb began refereeing in 1989 and progressed to the national list of referees in 1998 before further progression saw him promoted to the Premier League list five years later.

Amongst a number of high profile top flight matches Webb also took charge of the Division Two Play-off Final between Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.

Mr. Webb will be joined by Mr. A.Garratt and Mr. M.Murphy as his assistants at the Emirates Stadium at the weekend.

For a detailed head-to-head between the two sides, click here.