The 18-year-old was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver at Molineux after tackling Wolves defender Matt Doherty about 10 yards outside their penalty area. ..Continue Reading
VAR decided to side with Oliver’s decision & not rescind the red card, with the Premier League’s Match Centre Twitter account stating: “The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play.”
Fans were not convinced, with one Arsenal supporter calling the red card ‘the worst decision I’ve ever witnessed at a football stadium’.
This meant Arsenal had to play the rest of the Premier League match at Molineux with 10 men. However, the playing field was leveled when Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes received a second yellow card in the 70th minute.
A new angle of the Lewis-Skelly incident later surfaced on social media, igniting further discussion among fans.
The video reveals a reverse, zoomed-in view of the left-back’s tackle, showing clear contact between the two players.
While the most noticeable contact happens when Lewis-Skelly steps on Doherty’s foot, the Arsenal defender’s boot also seems to make slight contact with Doherty’s shin area beforehand.
In response, one fan wrote: “Seeing this angle, when you add that it’s 100 per cent intentional and an attempt to trip him, with the fact that he’s caught him studs first on the ankle, then not sure it’s that controversial anymore.”
A second claimed: “100 per cent the correct decision. It’s stopped an attack, it’s dangerous.”
A third said: “For everyone who is nailing their colours to the mast, watch this angle. It’s an ankle breaker.”
And a fourth added: “I can see why it’s a red. No attempt to kick the ball, studs up, catches the shin area.”
And a fifth stated: “That’s actually very naughty. Great spot from the ref.”
Riccardo Calafiori scored in the second half, giving the Gunners a 1-0 lead which they managed to hold on to. This victory allowed Mikel Arteta’s team to bounce back in the Premier League after their 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
