Arsenal were handed a major blow just before half time of their Premier League clash against Wolves at Molineux. With the score locked at 0-0 Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a surprise red card.

A tackle on Matt Doherty led to the defender being shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver for serious foul play. It was a decision that left Arsenal players angry and surrounding the referee.

The decision was also reviewed by VAR but it was concluded that a clear and obvious error hadn't been made. In a statement, the Premier League Match Centre explained: "The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play."

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READ MORE: Arsenal get new Myles Lewis-Skelly red card referee verdict after VAR controversy vs Wolves

The decision to show a straight red is one of contention that has caused debate among football fans, so what do our football.london writers think? Some have had their say right here.

Amie Wilson

On first viewing, the decision to award a red card for the challenge seems very harsh. It feels like if that qualifies as a straight red, then they would be branded every other week. It’s one of those challenges that feels like a yellow card is the right punishment.

It does feel like it’s the sort of decision where VAR may have been able to intervene and at least send Oliver over to the screen to have a second look at the incident. The fact Myles-Skelly didn’t make an attempt for the ball is probably what has gone against the Arsenal man.

It’s a red card that Arsenal may feel is worth an appeal to the FA to try and avoid or get the suspension reduced. If that appeal will be successful is still to be seen

Rob Guest

Myles Lewis-Skelly's red card looked extremely harsh on first viewing as it just appeared that he had tripped Matt Doherty to stop the Wolves man from sparking a counter. However, another look at the replay and it does look like the Arsenal man had no intention of going for the ball at all so you can maybe understand why he has seen red.

Perhaps Michael Oliver should have been sent over to the screen to take another look at the incident.

Joe Doyle

I can understand why it was given - but I don't agree with it. Yes, he catches him with his studs on the calf, but it's not a forceful tackle: I don't think there's any way you could realistically call it 'serious' foul play.

I think as much as anything, the referee has decided that the lack of care going into the tackle is as punishable as the actual tackle. Lewis-Skelly knows he's going to trip the opponent, so there's no attempt to play the ball and I think that's been counted against him.

Plenty will say you won't see a decision like that again this season - but I think we already have with Bruno Fernandes' red card against Spurs. That one was a mistake by the referee and a further mistake by VAR in not overturning it as he didn't connect with studs - and it was later rescinded.

I think this one is a mistake by the referee, but given he has caught him with the studs it's one where I'm not sure VAR could have overturned, even if they should. It will be interesting to see what happens when Arsenal inevitably appeal.

Tom Coley

This is a scandalous decision. Slow anything down and freeze frame it and you can find red cards in kick off. Not to be too ‘old man shouts at cloud’ about this but it’s a shocking call.

The impact is slightly high with the studs but it’s only really a late tackle. There is no malice and it certainly isn’t violent. Even though Doherty was maybe running through on goal and there’s an argument that Lewis-Skelly was last man, it isn’t a clear goalscoring opportunity as he is so far away from David Raya and there are men to cover. It just doesn’t hit any parameter for a red card.

Arsenal will surely be appealing this and can question why VAR didn’t at least opt for an on-field review. It doesn’t feel like one that qualifies for ‘referees decision’ to be the line between whether the punishment stands or not.

Arsenal will likely land themselves in hot water for surrounding Oliver after the red card. Regardless of the outcome of any potential appeal, that will bring a fine from the FA.

Isaac Seelochan

Perhaps the worst decision you will see this season, and that's saying something! I'm not one for blaming referees all the time but it's just such an odd mistake.

And why didn't VAR overturn it? Arsenal should certainly appeal this decision, although it's hard to tell if it will be overturned in all honesty.

Strange decisions on the field are not always changed in retrospect and I suspect we may see that in this incident but I could be wrong.

Josh Holland

It's a good thing Arsenal went on to win at Wolves. I'm usually quite critical of Arteta and his words about officials but he would have every right to be frustrated if his side failed to win today.

It's a horrible decision and one that shouldn't have been made in the first place. Why VAR didn't overturn the decision is beyond me. Even the Wolves players looked confused.

An appeal is surely coming and Arsenal will be hopeful that he will be back for Manchester City next week. If Premier League referees had question marks over their officiating before, they do now.

However, the club must stay professional and wait for justice to be served to avoid a ban.