Myles Lewis-Skelly has avoided a three-match ban after Arsenal successfully appealed against his red card in Saturday’s win at Wolves.
The 18-year-old was controversially shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver in the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory for taking down Matt Doherty in his own half.
Lewis-Skelly became the third youngest player to be dismissed in Premier League history, but the Gunners lodged an appeal in a bid to get the red card overturned and the FA’s decision means the versatile full-back will not be suspended.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left “absolutely fuming” by the decision, which was heavily criticised by fans and pundits.
Arteta responded to the news at his press conference ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League game against Girona, saying: “Obviously, I’m very happy that a decision has been made and Myles is going to be able to play again.”
Lewis-Skelly is available for Arsenal’s home game against Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, as well as the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final with Newcastle on February 5, live on Sky Sports, and the Premier League trip to Leicester on February 15.
Asked how Lewis-Skelly took the news, Arteta said: “He was sleeping on the plane when I looked back and I got the news, so I haven’t spoken to him, but I imagine a big smile on his face.”
An FA spokesperson statement said: “An independent regulatory commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension.
“The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25, 2025.”
The FA’s overturn comes despite the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body in charge of English refereeing, judging that the challenge was extremely late, the point of contact was high and video evidence supported that conclusion.
Arsenal went on to win the match at Wolves, who were also reduced to 10 men in the second half, thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s second-half effort, which kept the pressure on title rivals Liverpool.
Lewis-Skelly trained with his Arsenal team-mates at the club’s London Colney base on Tuesday prior to their final Champions League group fixture against Girona, with team-mate Riccardo Calafiori having his say on the player’s suspension being overturned, telling the media: “We are all happy [for him] – we knew it was a mistake.”
Arsenal are third in the 36-team table and are well placed to progress to the last 16 automatically.
Merson: VAR should have intervened
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:
“I personally didn’t think it was a red. I didn’t think it was a red. I thought Michael Oliver was very sharp getting his card out.
“I thought it was very quick. But I haven’t got nothing against Michael Oliver. It’s happened quickly and he’s put a red card up.
“The people in VAR have got to intervene then. Then they’ve got have another look at this. It’s happened very quickly.
“It’s like being in the playground. The kid runs away from you and you want to trip him up. But as he’s gone to trip him up, he’s put his foot out to trip him up.
“Because the lad’s so quick, or he’s quicker than him at the time, he’s caught him with his ankle instead of trying to catch him with the outside of his foot. He’s going to go and try and catch him with the outside of his foot and that’s why you’ve got to have someone up in VAR that understands football.
“If you understand football, you’d look at that and go, no, in my opinion. It’s not a sending off. Definitely not a sending off. But I have nothing against Michael Oliver. I have a problem against people upstairs in VAR that should have intervened.”
Oliver receives online abuse after Lewis-Skelly red card
The reaction to Oliver’s decision became so severe on social media that the PGMOL issued a rare public statement on Sunday calling out the online abuse which had already prompted a police investigation.
“We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal fixture,” they wrote.
“No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let alone the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours.
“The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.
“Sadly, this is not the first time a match official has been forced to deal with threats in recent times. We will continue to support all investigations.”
Arteta said: “We have to really work harder to try to eradicate that part of the game that brings nothing but bad stuff, bad taste and it makes people’s lives more difficult. Let’s get it out, let’s kick it out.
“For everyone in football. You should not be permitted [to do that]. We don’t want it, we don’t need it and it certainly damages our sport. Let’s get it out.”
Separately from the successful appeal, Sky Sports News understands Arsenal will continue to support the PGMOL and Oliver over the abuse he has received.
In confirming their investigation, the UK Football Policing Unit said in a statement: “Enquiries are in the early stages and officers are working closely with social media providers, including Facebook and X, to identify those responsible for the messages.”
Pardew: Correct decision to overturn Lewis-Skelly red card
Ex-Newcastle and Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew told Sky Sports News:
“I think that’s the correct decision.
“Mikel Arteta after the game made it quite clear that they were going to appeal and the tackle was innocuous to me.
“It was just a trip and I think the referee got it completely wrong, so I think that was justice.”
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“I think it just proves that the systems we’ve already got in place work. If you feel that you’ve been hard done by, there is a process by which you can appeal and it’s heard very, very quickly and the right decision has been reached.
“Arsenal ended up winning the game and Wolves had a player sent off as well, so everything has worked out.
“But we’ve still got to talk about everything that’s been happening around referees and the abuse and the situation we’ve got to where the police are guarding the home of one of our most high-profile referees – is that what we really want football to become in this day and age?”