Who is Arsenal vs Newcastle referee Craig Pawson and how will in-stadium VAR announcements work?

ARSENAL welcome Premier League rivals Newcastle United to the Emirates for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final TONIGHT.

The Gunners will be looking to go into February's return leg in the North East with a healthy advantage.

Arsenal and Newcastle go head-to-head in the Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty

But the Magpies arrive in the capital on a superb run of form after six straight wins in all competitions.

Toon boss Eddie Howe will know the huge opportunity his side has to end Newcastle's near 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy this season.

Mikel Arteta will see the competition as an opportunity to add to his slim trophy cabinet from his Arsenal tenure.

The Gunners have been one of the best teams in Europe under the Spaniard, but they have won just the 2020 FA Cup since he arrived in North London.

How will in-stadium VAR announcements work?

VAR has not been in use for any Carabao Cup matches this season.

However, it will feature in this week's semi-finals - and for the first time in the English domestic game, in-stadium VAR announcements will be trialled.

This means the crowd inside the stadium and fans watching at home on the TV will be able to hear referees announce final decisions after they have been advised to go to the pitchside monitor.

That said, it will not be the case for decisions made not using the monitor.

A referee announcing decisions to the crowd isn't totally new to the world of football, as it was trialled at the Women's World Cup in 2023.

But it has never been in operation during an English football match until this week.

A statement from the PGMOL, the referees’ body, said: "Referees will announce the final decision following a visit to the VAR pitchside monitor or upon the conclusion of factual matters, such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside offences where the attacker touches the ball."

The referee that will take charge of the historic match at the Emirates is Craig Pawson - SunSport has the lowdown on the referee.

Who is referee Craig Pawson?

Craig Pawson will referee tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Newcastle.

Pawson was born in Sheffield on March 2 1979 and has been a referee in England since 1993.

The official will be a familiar name to the two English giants - as the 45-year-old has been in charge of three Toon games and one Gunners match this season.