Premier League issue statement as Arsenal star Lewis-Skelly sent off | Football | Sport
The Premier League have issued a statement to explain why Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off for Arsenal after committing a foul in the middle of the pitch.
Trailing 1-0 already after Jarrod Bowen’s first-half opener, the Gunners endured a difficult afternoon against West Ham and may lose further ground in the title race with Liverpool, having been unable to overturn the England man’s strike.
A yellow card was initially issued to Lewis-Skelly for a foul on Mohammed Kudus, after the Ghanaian had won the ball back and launched a counter, but on VAR’s recommendation the card was upgraded to red.
Having outmuscled Lewis-Skelly on the half-way line, Kudus was bundled to the floor, but was deemed to have been in a goalscoring position – resulting in the dismissal.
The denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) label ensured that even though Lewis-Skelly had not made a dangerous tackle on Kudus, his foul was still worthy of a straight red card.
The Premier League Match Centre’s statement explained: “VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus – deeming it denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and there being no covering defender, therefore recommended an on-field review. The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card.”
The 18-year-old had only entered the pitch as a second-half substitute, on a miserable day for Mikel Arteta‘s side who struggled once again without a recognised number nine as they succumbed to defeat.
Arteta offered little in the form of a protest to Lewis-Skelly’s red card, hinting that he had no gripe with the decision, though despite being a man down the hosts had a late chance to equalise.
Jurrien Timber found himself in front of goal but his lob landed on top of Alphonse Areola’s net. Moments earlier, Arsenal‘s injury woes grew when wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri limped off the pitch.
The first official red card of Lewis-Skelly’s career left a dejected Arsenal in the lurch as they pushed to equalise, knowing that they might be missing an opportunity with Liverpool travelling to Manchester City on Sunday.
He was also sent off against Wolves in more controversial circumstances, having fouled Matt Doherty, before that red card was later rescinded upon appeal.
Referee Michael Oliver was subjected to online abuse as Lewis-Skelly was given his marching orders last month, while Arsenal were also fined £65,000 for their angry on-field reaction.
