Why Myles Lewis-Skelly Was Sent Off During Arsenal’s Clash Against Wolves

Arsenal’s young left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly received a straight red card in the first half of their Premier League encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving fans and pundits debating the decision. The incident significantly impacted the game, forcing Arsenal to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.

The Incident That Led to Lewis-Skelly’s Red Card

During a quick Wolves counter-attack, Lewis-Skelly, who had recently returned from injury, fouled Matt Doherty near the edge of the Wolves penalty box. The referee, Michael Oliver, wasted no time in issuing a red card for what he deemed to be serious foul play.

The Premier League Match Centre later released a statement confirming that the decision had been checked and upheld by VAR. According to the officials, the foul was considered dangerous because Lewis-Skelly’s studs made contact high on Doherty’s leg. Former referee Mike Dean, providing analysis on Sky Sports, also supported the call, citing clear evidence of the defender’s studs landing on Doherty’s leg.

VAR’s Role in Confirming the Decision

Many Arsenal fans were left puzzled as VAR chose not to order a review of the incident. The decision to confirm the red card without a second look sparked further discussion about the consistency of refereeing decisions in the Premier League. While some supporters felt the punishment was harsh, the evidence presented by VAR and experts suggested otherwise.

What This Means for Arsenal

With Lewis-Skelly now facing a suspension, Mikel Arteta will need to reshuffle his squad ahead of the crucial clash against Manchester City next weekend. Arsenal’s defensive options are already stretched thin, making this a significant blow for the Gunners.

Potential replacements include summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, who returned from injury to sit on the bench against Wolves, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who could step in if needed. However, Zinchenko’s future at Arsenal remains uncertain, as both Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid are reportedly vying for his signature in the ongoing transfer window.

Share Your Thoughts!

Do you think the red card decision against Myles Lewis-Skelly was fair? Should VAR have intervened? Let us know in the comments below—your opinion matters!