Mikel Arteta was “absolutely fuming” over Michael Oliver’s decision to send Myles Lewis-Skelly off in the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolves.
With the first half reaching its conclusion, Lewis-Skelly caught Matt Doherty near the edge of the Wolves box and referee Oliver sent off the 18-year-old for serious foul play.
“I cannot believe Michael Oliver has sent Lewis-Skelly off there,” said Sky Sports’ Tim Sherwood, as VAR stuck with the on-field official’s call.
Arsenal won 1-0 thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s second-half winner – which came four minutes after Joao Gomes was dismissed for two yellow cards for a debatably even harsher challenge than Lewis-Skelly’s on Jurrien Timber – but Arteta still could not hide his disappointment with the officials at full-time.
“It is that clear and I will leave it to you guys,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “I am absolutely fuming. But I will leave it with you, it is that obvious that I don’t think my words are going to help.”
Asked if Arsenal will appeal the sending off, Arteta replied: “That’s for the club to decide what is the best decision. It’s that obvious that maybe we don’t even need to [put in an appeal].
“He’s really happy now that the team won and found a way to win it. He is very worried about what’s coming next because he’s strongly feeling that there was nothing to do with the action.”
Calafiori: It was never a red card, Lewis-Skelly was upset
Meanwhile, match-winner Calafiori also felt it was not a red card for Lewis-Skelly – saying the 18-year-old was upset about the call in the half-time break.
Despite scoring the winner in his side’s 1-0 win at Wolves, Riccardo Calafiori could not hide his frustration at the controversial red card awarded to Lewis-Skelly
“From the bench, it was clearly not a red card. I saw him at half-time he was so disappointed for the team. But at the end, we won. So nothing happened,” said Calafiori.
“He was upset, but now he’s happy because we won for sure. He’s a good footballer, a good guy, so we help him a lot.
“He’s really happy now that the team won and found a way to win it. He is very worried about what’s coming next because he’s strongly feeling that there was nothing to do with the action.”
Arteta admitted Lewis-Skelly was feeling better after the team had won, but hopes any appeal will result in the defender being allowed to play the next games.
“He’s really happy now that the team won and found a way to win it,” added Arteta. “He is very worried about what’s coming next because he’s strongly feeling that there was nothing to do with the action.”
Arteta added in his press conference: “Hopefully we don’t need to [appeal]. Allow the player to continue to do his job.”
