London, Jan 28: Arsenal have officially lodged an appeal to overturn Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card, which has been the subject of intense debate following their narrow 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The young defender’s dismissal has not only ignited criticism from Arsenal’s camp but also drawn the attention of football pundits and former referees alike.
The incident occurred in the 43rd minute at Molineux, with Lewis-Skelly attempting to break up a Wolves counter-attack just outside their penalty area. The referee, Michael Oliver, deemed his late challenge on Matt Doherty – which caught the Wolves player above the ankle – as serious foul play, producing a straight red card. The decision was subsequently upheld by VAR official Darren England after a review.
The dismissal has serious implications for Arsenal, as Lewis-Skelly faces a three-game suspension, which would rule him out of crucial fixtures, including the much-anticipated Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday. He would also miss the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United next week and a league encounter with Leicester City on February 15.
In a post-match interview with BBC’s Match of the Day, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration with the decision, stating, “It’s so obvious that today you don’t need my words.” Speaking later to Sky Sports, Arteta’s anger was more apparent as he described himself as “absolutely fuming.” The Spaniard has been vocal in his criticism of officiating in recent weeks, with Saturday’s controversial call adding fuel to his discontent.
The Football Association has been approached for comment regarding Arsenal’s appeal.
Meanwhile, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for Premier League referees, confirmed that referee Michael Oliver has faced online threats and abuse in the aftermath of the match. They revealed that police are investigating the matter, underscoring the increasingly toxic environment surrounding officials.
Adding to the drama, the match saw Wolves midfielder João Gomes sent off in the second half after picking up a second yellow card. Arsenal eventually secured the victory through Riccardo Calafiori’s goal, but the win has been overshadowed by the fallout from Lewis-Skelly’s red card.
Former referees and pundits have weighed in on the decision, with many arguing that a yellow card would have been a more appropriate punishment for Lewis-Skelly’s challenge. Others, however, defended Oliver’s interpretation, citing the need to protect players from potentially dangerous tackles.
Arsenal now await the FA’s ruling on their appeal, which could have a significant impact on their upcoming fixtures. As the Gunners fight for trophies on multiple fronts, the potential absence of Lewis-Skelly could prove costly, particularly in their title race with Manchester City.The debate over the incident continues to highlight the ongoing scrutiny of refereeing standards and VAR decisions in English football. For now, Arsenal and their fans must hope for a positive outcome to the appeal, while the focus shifts to their preparations for what promises to be a defining period in their season. (Agencies)
