In-stadium VAR announcements by referees will be trialed in English soccer for the first time when Arsenal hosts Newcastle in the semifinals of the English League Cup.

Arteta, after all, embarked on a rant against refereeing standards in England after Anthony Gordon’s controversial goal survived three separate VAR checks to seal a Newcastle win in November 2023. Quite whether or not it will prove to be a popular decision or not given the debate surrounding VAR remains to be seen.

For the first time ever in the English domestic game, crowds inside stadiums and fans at home will hear referees announce final decisions after going to the pitchside VAR monitor

John Brooks will be in charge for the Arsenal v Newcastle match, with Michael Salisbury the VAR. Stuart Attwell is the referee for the Tottenham v Liverpool match on Wednesday, with Paul Tierney the VAR. The EFL Comms account on X will also provide updates, similar to those issued by the @PLMatchCentre account during Premier League fixtures.

VAR (Video Assistant Referee) will be in place for the Carabao Cup semi-finals as we take on Liverpool in the first leg of our tie at Stadium on Wednesday evening (8pm UK). Arsenal face Newcastle in their first leg on Tuesday evening.

A detailed look at how the VAR trial involving in-stadium announcements will work in the Carabao Cup semi-finals this week

History could be made at the Emirates Stadium tonight when Arsenal and Newcastle United face-off in the first-leg of their semi-final clash.