Arsenal have been successful in their appeal against the red card handed to defender Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves. The 18-year-old was dismissed by referee Michael Oliver for catching Matt Doherty above the ankle as he broke up a counter-attack just outside the Wolves box.
The decision was upheld by video assistant referee (VAR) Darren England, with Myles-Skelly initially set to be handed a three match ban.
It would have meant him missing the Premier League home match against Manchester City on Sunday, next week’s Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at Newcastle and a league fixture against Leicester on February 15.
However, on Tuesday Arsenal confirmed an appeal had been submitted. And the FA have now released a statement confirming that the ban had been overturned.
“An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension,” they wrote. “The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25.”
On Saturday, Arsenal players reacted furiously to Oliver’s decision, surrounding the referee after he issued a red. The official and his family have since been targeted with online abuse on social media.
The PGMOL have since stated the abuse has been reported, stating: “The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.”
Straight after the match, a furious Arteta refused to properly respond when asked what he thought of Lewis-Skelly being sent off. “It’so obvious that today you don’t need my words,” he said.
“I am absolutely fuming but I will leave it with you. Because it is that obvious, I don’t think my words are going to help.”
Arteta will at least now be relieved he has one of his key men back available. The Spaniard is already dealing with something of an injury crisis, with defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White currently ruled out.
Gabriel Jesus is already set to miss the rest of the season, while Bukayo Saka is not expected to return until March after undergoing an operation for a torn hamstring.
Despite the 43rd-minute red card, Arteta’s men still managed a 1-0 win at Molineux courtesy of a goal from Riccardo Calafiori, who was sent on at half-time as part of the subsequent reshuffle.
