Mikel Arteta was “absolutely furious” at the decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly after Arsenal battled to a 1-0 win at Wolves with 10 men.
Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver just before half-time for a foul on Matt Doherty 30 yards from Wolves' goal.
Oliver ruled it was serious foul play from Lewis-Skelly when he caught Doherty on the ankle, although Wolves sent off Joao Gomes later in the second half.
Arteta was furious at the referee's decision to send his player off, telling Sky Sports: “It's so clear that I'm leaving it to you.
'I'm absolutely furious, but I'll leave it to you. Because it's so obvious. I don't think my words will help.'
At 18 years and 121 days, Lewis-Skelly is the third youngest player to be sent off in the Premier League, after Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
Asked whether Arsenal would appeal the decision, Arteta said: “It is up to the club to decide what the best decision is.
“I think it's so obvious, maybe it's not even necessary.”
Saturday atmosphere check
Thanks for your support, Gooners! pic.twitter.com/6i7N8yOnCT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2025
Riccardo Calafiori came on as part of a half-time reshuffle and fired the winner at Molineux in the 74th minute.
Arsenal have now scored more goals by defenders (eight) than any other side in the Premier League this season.
Arteta's men saw out the remainder of an ill-tempered game, helped by Gomes being sent off after 70 minutes for a second bookable offence.
This kept Arsenal's first clean sheet in ten Premier League games, ending a run dating back to September.
“It's incredible what the boys have done again,” Arteta added. “In the context that we were thrown back into it, it was about character.
“It was about the personality of the team, the courage and the intelligence to play the game we wanted to play. It was exceptional.”
Arsenal remains six points behind leaders Liverpool, who defeated Ipswich Town 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday and also have a game in hand.
Wolves, meanwhile, have lost their first four league games of a calendar year for the third time and are outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone.
“It was a tough match,” Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa told Premier League Productions.
“We had a good chance to win this match if we took our chances. In the end we lost and we are sad about that.”
Comments