An ‘absolutely furious’ Mikel Arteta is confident Arsenal will not have to appeal for Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card at Wolves this afternoon as he believes it will be overturned.
The teenage full-back was sent off late in the first half at Molineux for what appeared a fairly innocuous foul on Matt Doherty on the edge of the Wolves box.
Referee Michael Oliver was quick to show a straight red to Var Darren England, thinking there was no need to send the official to the pitch side monitor.
Wolves had Joao Gomes sent on with 20 minutes remaining and Arsenal took full advantage, with substitute Riccardo Calafiori firing home the only goal four minutes later.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “It’s amazing what the boys have done again. In the context we were thrown into, it was about character, team personality, courage and intelligence to play the game we wanted to play. It was exceptional.
On Lewis-Skelly’s firing, he added: ‘Clearly I’m leaving you guys [the media]. I’m absolutely furious but I’ll leave you with you. Because it’s also obvious. I don’t think my words will help.
“I’m absolutely furious” 😡
Mikel Arteta on the decision to send on Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves 🟥 pic.twitter.com/6h0tvl2nei
– Sky Sports Premier League (@skysportspl) January 25, 2025
Asked if Arsenal would appeal, he said: “It’s up to the club to decide what the best decision is. I think it’s that obvious, maybe we don’t even need it.
Signer disconcerted by red card
BBC pundit Alan Shearer called the decision “one of the worst I’ve seen in a long time.”
The former England captain said: “As a referee you could make a mistake on the field, you could see something that is incorrect.
“How the hell does Darren England, the VAR, think the referee did the right thing and there is no need to send it to the screen.
“One of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time.
I just can’t see and determine what Var is thinking going along with Michael Oliver’s decision.
“No wonder this is criticized by so many people.”
