Premier League gives verdict on Myles Lewis-Skelly red card in Arsenal’s win at Wolves

Arsenal’s young defender Myles Lewis-Skelly found himself at the center of controversy after receiving a straight red card in his side’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Premier League defends red card decision for Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly against Wolves

The 18-year-old was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver just before halftime, a decision that left fans, pundits, and even neutral observers questioning its legitimacy.

The incident occurred in the 43rd minute when Arsenal were caught on the counter following a corner.

Wolves’ Matt Doherty picked up the ball near his own penalty area and attempted to drive forward, only to be brought down by Lewis-Skelly.

While many expected the teenager to receive a routine yellow card for a tactical foul, Oliver opted for a much harsher punishment, showing him a straight red.

In the aftermath of the decision, frustration and confusion swirled among Arsenal supporters and football analysts alike.

With VAR now a staple of the Premier League, many anticipated that the decision would be reviewed with the potential for it to be overturned.

However, the Premier League later released an official statement via their ‘Match Centre’ account on X (formerly Twitter), backing the referee’s call.

“The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play,” the statement read.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Arsenal showed resilience and secured all three points, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s decisive goal. Wolves’ Joao Gomes also saw red in the second half, evening the playing field temporarily.

Arsenal may still appeal the decision if they believe it to be unjust, and Mikel Arteta will surely have his say in the coming days.

The Gunners’ boss, known for his passionate defense of his players, will likely seek further clarification from the authorities.

For Lewis-Skelly, this experience will serve as a tough learning curve, but his teammates and fans will no doubt rally behind him as he looks to bounce back from this setback.

As the dust settles, the debate around officiating consistency and the use of VAR continues to dominate Premier League discussions.

Arsenal’s hard-fought win, however, ensures they remain in the hunt for crucial points as the season progresses.