Premier League rules expert provides new verdict on controversial Arsenal red card
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly should have avoided a red card in the victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to rules expert Christina Unkel.
The controversial decision was made after Lewis-Skelly tripped a Wolves attacker as the hosts tried to break from an Arsenal corner. Despite being midway in the opposition's half, referee Michael Oliver deemed the challenge to be worthy of a straight red card, putting Mikel Arteta's side on the back foot.
Evaluating the decision post-match on CBS Sports Unkel, who was previously a top FIFA referee, admitted the decision by both Oliver and VAR Darren England was incorrect. She explained: "It was checked by the VAR and confirmed for not a clear and obvious error for the issue.
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"However, the preferred decision here would be a yellow card for either being reckless or stopping a promising attack. When you take a look at the play and you take a look at the implications, the only thing that would raise it to a serious foul play in this context is whether or not there are actual studs to the Achilles or to the ankle or to the back of the heel.
"However, after a review of several different angles, it’s clear that Myles basically made contact with just the boot on top of the foot in of itself. Does it rise to the levels of serious foul play? The preferred decision would be the answer is no.
"If you wanted to keep it within the misconduct of a reckless play, that would be the preferred decision. Unfortunately, in my opinion, there was a referee error on the field, and there was also a referee error in the VAR booth for not recommending this be overturned for a yellow card instead."
Arsenal do have the option to appeal the decision to award Lewis-Skelly a red card. But, it remains to be seen whether the dismissal will be deemed a significant error that it should be overturned by the Premier League.
