“Absolutely cracked” Mikel Arteta is confident Arsenal will not have to appeal Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card at Wolves this afternoon, as he thinks he will be overturned.
The teenage full-back was sent off late in the first half at Molineux for what appeared to be a fairly innocuous foul on Matt Doherty on the edge of the Wolves box.
Referee Michael Oliver was quick to show a straight red with var Darren England feeling there was no need to send the official to the pitch-side monitor for a second look.
Wolves were dismissed by Joao Gomes on 20 minutes and Arsenal took full advantage, substitute Riccardo Calafiori firing home the only goal four minutes later to keep Arsenal within six points of leaders Liverpool.
Arteta told Sky Sports: “It’s amazing what the boys did again. In the context we threw in again, it was about character, team personality, courage and intelligence to play the game we wanted to play. It was exceptional.”
On dismissing Lewis-Skelly, he added: “Clearly I leave it to you [the media]. I’m absolutely rambling, but I’ll leave it with you. Because it’s obvious. I don’t think my words will help. “
“I absolutely do” 😡
Mikel Arteta on the decision to send 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 for the club to decide what’s the best decision. I think it’s obvious, maybe we don’t need to.”
Shearer confused 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 can make mistakes on the pitch, you might see something that is incorrect.
“How on Earth does Darren England, the VAR, think the referee had that right and there’s no need to send him to the screen.
“One of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time.
“I just can’t see and work out what VAR means to go along with Michael Oliver’s decision.
“No wonder so many people criticize him.”
