Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Myles Lewis-Skelly reaction to Arsenal red card being overturned

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Evening Standard

·28 janvier 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Myles Lewis-Skelly reaction to Arsenal red card being overturned

Arteta was told about the successful appeal as Arsenal flew out to Spain

Mikel Arteta opted against waking Myles Lewis-Skelly up to tell him his red card had been overturned, but he is confident the Arsenal teenager will have a “big smile on his face”.

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Lewis-Skelly was facing a three-match ban after he was controversially sent-off against Wolves for tripping Matt Doherty to stop a counter.

Arsenal appealed the decision and were successful, meaning Lewis-Skelly will be available for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match at home to Manchester City.

It is the latest update in a saga that has raged on since the red card on Saturday, a decision that was met with widespread criticism from pundits.

Michael Oliver has received abuse and threats in the days since, with referees’ body PGMOL confirming the police have launched investigations.

Arteta, who spoke at his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Girona about the need to remove “hatred” from the game, revealed he was told about the successful appeal while flying out to Spain, but did not get the chance to share that with Lewis-Skelly.

"Yeah obviously really happy that the decision has been made and Myles is going to be available for us,” 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.”

Asked whether he woke Lewis-Skelly up to tell him, Arteta responded: “No, I was working and he was in the back row, so I didn't.”