Ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean delivers verdict on Lewis-Skelly red card appeal

Dean thinks Arsenal are likely to win any appeal against the three-match suspension Lewis-Skelly is facing after his red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Michael Oliver issued a red card to Lewis-Skelly following a tackle on Wolves defender Matt Doherty in the closing minutes of the first half.

The decision was reviewed by VAR official Darren England, with assistance from Adrian Holmes, who upheld the call, classifying the tackle as serious foul play.

As a result, Lewis-Skelly will miss Arsenal’s next three domestic games. These include the match against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium next weekend, the League Cup semi-final second leg at Newcastle United, and a Premier League fixture at Leicester City.

The club can appeal the suspension as they can with any straight red card, and Dean believes the Football Association might overturn the ban.

The former Premier League referee said on Sky Sports News during Soccer Saturday : “I think they’ve got grounds for appealing.

“It’s just whether when the panel sits and reviews it – ex-managers and ex-players – which way will they go? I would think if they appeal, the way managers and players look at it, none of the players will think it’s a red card, so I think they may well win the appeal.”

During his post-match press conference, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta addressed whether the club would appeal. “Well, hopefully, we don’t need,” he said.

“If we have to, it’s a really good precedent with what happened with Bruno [Fernandes vs Tottenham Hotspur, when Manchester United successfully appealed his suspension] this season. Hopefully.

“Okay, we were in a position we shouldn’t have been in; at least let’s be in a position that we should be in for the next few weeks and allow our player to continue to do his job.”