Myles Lewis-Skelly red card: Mikel Arteta 'fuming' with Michael Oliver decision

Arsenal narrowly secured a 1-0 victory against Wolves, keeping their Premier League title hopes alive. However, the match's focus was dominated by the controversial red card given to Myles Lewis-Skelly. This decision not only left manager Arteta "fuming" but also perplexed commentators and infuriated Arsenal fans.

In the 43rd minute, Lewis-Skelly, near the edge of the Wolves penalty area, made a challenge on Matt Doherty's ankle in an attempt to stop a Wolves counter-attack. Referee Michael Oliver issued a straight red card to the 18-year-old, a decision upheld by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Post-match, Arteta, in an interview with the BBC, stated that the decision was "so obvious that I don't need to say much about it today." He told Sky Sports, "I'm absolutely fuming, but I leave it to you guys (the media) to judge. Because it's so obvious, I don't think my words are going to help."

Despite this, Arsenal rallied together and ultimately won 1-0, thanks to a goal by Riccardo Calafiori, with Wolves also reduced to ten men after João Gomes received a second yellow card. The controversy surrounding Lewis-Skelly's red card continues to escalate, with commentators calling it "one of the worst decisions" and arguing that it "clearly should not have been a red card."

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean said on Sky Sports, "When you see the still image, you can understand what he's done. He's gone in with his studs on the leg, it's a serious foul play, catching the achilles." However, former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin argued, "Myles Lewis-Skelly is 10 yards outside the box. It should be violent conduct, but it doesn't look like violent conduct. It's a cynical trip. I've never seen a red card like that in my life, I'm shocked." Former Manchester City center-back Nedum Onuoha stated, "For me, it's absolutely not a red card. The more replays I've seen, I now see why it was the correct decision. Maybe the referee saw that Myles Lewis-Skelly had no intention of playing the ball. It's a tough moment for Arsenal. For the young lad, I think he needs to understand that there are different ways of dealing with this situation."

Fans have also expressed differing opinions on the decision. Some fans believe it was "the right decision" because they are "fed up with players deliberately taking down other players without trying to win the ball." However, other fans consider it an "absurd decision" and stated they have "seen worse tackles that didn't even get a yellow card." One fan commented, "Saying it's a red card because it was above the ankle is complete nonsense. There are so many fouls above the ankle every game that don't even get a yellow, let alone a red." Lewis-Skelly's red card is Arsenal's fourth in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. This isn't the first time Arsenal have felt aggrieved by a red card decision. Earlier this season, Arteta also criticized red card decisions against Declan Rice and William Saliba, as well as a yellow card for Leandro Trossard, stating these decisions were "so obvious" that he would leave the judgment to the media.