Arteta States Lewis-Skelly Feels Red Card He Received “Was Nothing To Do With The Action”

By The Editor
on 26th January 2025

Arteta reveals Lewis-Skelly feels something’s up…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provided an update on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emotional state after being unfairly targeted by referee Michael Oliver who brandished a red card to the teenager for an innocuous challenge, Sky Sports reports.

Arteta revealed that Lewis-Skelly felt relieved that the team were able to pick up three points despite playing with a man less for 30 minutes, though the teenager’s assessment didn’t stop there.

The Spaniard revealed that the academy graduate felt the sending off had little to do with the challenge, hinting that a more sinister motive fuelled Oliver’s decision.

Indeed, this isn’t the first flashpoint between the official and Lewis-Skelly in his embryonic career. The Geordie referee booked the 18-year-old during the ill-tempered 2-2 draw at the Etihad earlier this season before he’d even entered the field of play.

“He’s really happy now that the team won,” Arteta said in his post-match interview.

“He’s very worried about what is coming next because he’s strongly feeling that it was nothing to do with the action.”

What is coming next, unless The FA intervene, is a three-match ban for Lewis-Skelly where he’ll miss games against Manchester City and Oliver’s beloved Newcastle United.

Arteta also stated that he felt the incident was so obviously wrong, that it may not even need an official appeal before it’s rescinded.

“I think that’s for the club to decided what is the best decision. I think it’s that obvious that maybe we don’t even need to (appeal).”

Given the relationship between Arteta and The FA – since he was cleared by an independent panel after being charged for his criticism of the officials in November 2023 – we shouldn’t really expect the right thing to be done.