Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was delighted to see the red card of Myles Lewis-Skelly withdrawn against Wolves, but has criticized fans who focus on referee Michael Oliver.
Eighteen-year-old Lewis-Skelly was sent late in the first half of Saturday's game in Molineux, after he caught Matt Doherty with an awkward challenge high on the field.
The decision, which was checked and confirmed by the VAR, was downright criticized by fans and experts, although the Gunners won 1-0 after Joao Gomes was also sent.
In the aftermath of the match, PGMOL – the body that supervises referees in the English game – said that the police investigated threats and abuse on Oliver Online.
On Tuesday, the football club announced that Arsenal had won their profession against a ban of three games for Lewis-Skelly.
Although that resulting arteta, he said that everyone involved in the game should work to eradicate abuse against officials.
“Of course (we are) really happy that the decision has been made and Myles will be available to us,” Arteta said reporters on Tuesday, while looking at the Champions League collision with Girona.
“Every time I talk about (abuse against) a player, a coach, it doesn't matter. We have to do their best to eradicate it from the game. It certainly damages our sport. Let's get it out.
“We focus on the evolution of football and where it will go over the next five years. I think a big evolution we can have is to make a social environment that is better.
“We don't have to keep this hatred, it removes the beauty of the sport.”
Let's terminate the group phase in style pic.twitter.com/lb8y1il9dd
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) January 28, 2025
The journey from Arsenal to Catalonia represents their last outing in the competition phase of Europe's Premier Club competition, with Girona from the fight for a knockout place after losing six of their first seven games.
“I think this is a wonderful story, especially in the way they did it,” said Arteta about Girona, who finished third in Laliga last season.
“It shows that you can do big things with a vision. I have watched all their games in their group stage while I love the team, I love the coach.
“I have to know them very well, they were very competitive against the big names. They didn't get the results they deserved.”
Arsenal, who is third in the classification of the Champions League with 16 points, needs a draw to make the last 16 for their place and to avoid a two-legged play-off.
“We have been very close to large titles in recent years, but that is very difficult in football,” Arteta added. “Tomorrow we have to earn our qualification.”
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