Despite Arsenal winning 1-0 against Wolves on Saturday, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card has become the biggest talking point from the game.
It was a classic tactical foul from Myles Lewis-Skelly on Matt Doherty as Wolves were on the counter-attack.
However, Michael Oliver instantly brandished a red card to send the Arsenal left-back off, with the rationale being the referee’s call being that it was “serious foul play.”
Mikel Arteta brought Riccardo Calafiori on to replace the Englishman, who eventually punished Wolves with a well-taken strike in the 74th minute — just four minutes after Joao Gomes was sent off as well.
Alan Shearer felt Lewis-Skelly’s red card was undeserved as there was no force behind his tackle.
Even former Tottenham Hotspur star and lifelong supporter Jamie O’Hara believes Lewis-Skelly’s red card was harsh.
Arsenal told why Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card vs Wolves was the right decision
However, Steve Nicol vehemently disagrees.
The Liverpool legend felt Lewis-Skelly, who was worried after his sending off put in a dangerous challenge.
Steve Nicol said via ESPN FC: “How’s it not dangerous? Frank [LeBouef], how can you say that’s not dangerous? He stamps on him!”
“He goes down his shin and down to his foot!”
Steve Nicol continued to stick his guns, claiming that Lewis-Skelly deserved to be red carded because his foul was deliberate.
“Because they’re accidental, that’s why, this was absolutely, 100 per cent not an accident. Listen, when we were playing, it was called a professional foul and you tripped somebody up. This is not a trip, he’s absolutely stood on him.”
“He may have tried to trip him but that’s not what happened though, which is why its a red.”
Steve Nicol believes that Lewis-Skelly, whose sending off was disputed by Chris Sutton made no attempt to win the ball, which is another reason why he backs Michael Oliver’s controversial decision.
“So, when somebody makes absolutely no attempt to go for the ball and they trip somebody up when the ball’s way over there, we know because that’s just the way it is, right when you trip somebody.”
Nicol added: “He’s gone for him, he has a 100 per cent gone for the player. How can that not be serious foul play?”
“He hits him in the shin first and then he goes on to his foot and he’s lucky that he misses his ankle. So because it’s not given before doesn’t mean you never give it ever!”
Ultimately, Mikel Arteta will be relieved that the Gunners beat Wolves and remain in the hunt to win the Premier League title this season.
Alan Shearer reveals what he’s heard about PGMOL overturning Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card
Alan hearer doubts Lewis-Skelly’s red card will be overturned based on everything he has read and heard around the situation.
The pundit said: “It would be really interesting, because listening to, listening to one or two reports today, and obviously people leak things out.”
“And those one or two reports that I saw would back up the PGMOL by them not going against it and go on and saying that they thought it wasn’t enough to earn it or overturn it.”
“I’ll be fascinated. But that’s what I’ve heard one or two things today. So it would be really interesting to see whether they back that decision or not.”
If Shearer is indeed proven right, Lewis-Skelly could be set to miss Arsenal’s next league game against Manchester City.
Lewis-Skelly, who could sign a new contract at Arsenal has been a revelation and defensively, the youngster looks the best-placed to tame Manchester City’s attack.
Meanwhile, Savinho burst Calafiori to set Erling Haaland’s opening goal up in the reverse fixture when both sides drew 2-2 and the Italian international could be dealt a tough task as a starter if the Gunners academy graduate is indeed suspended now.
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