The Premier League have revealed the VAR stuck with Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly as it was deemed the challenge was ‘serious foul play’.
The Gunners have had a discipline problem this campaign, finishing with 10 men against Brighton, Bournemouth and Manchester City.
The red cards have cost Arsenal in the title race as they headed into this weekend six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool having played one more game.
A trip to Wolves was seen as a chance to get back on track, although they were dealt a blow on the morning of the game with both Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard unable to travel.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card
PA
Arsenal still looked the more likely of the two sides to break the deadlock at the Emirates in the opening 45 minutes with Kai Havertz missing a handful of opportunities.
But their task was made even tougher when Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Matt Doherty was Wolves were set to break.
Referee Oliver didn’t waste long in pulling out the red card, much to the surprise of the Arsenal players.
Replays appeared to show that Lewis-Skelly led in with his studs showing and VAR Darren England stuck with the on-field decision.
The Premier League released a statement online confirming why the decision wasn’t overturned by England.
It read: “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.”
Arsenal have now received more red cards this season than any other Premier League team with Lewis-Skelly the fourth to be sent off.
Southampton and West Ham are the only other two teams to have received more than two red cards this season.
Arsenal have had four players sent off this season
PA
It doesn’t get any easier for the Gunners next week as they host rivals Manchester City in a blockbuster clash.
That is followed by the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, who hold a 2-0 advantage over Arteta’s side.
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The VAR stuck with Michael Oliver’s decision
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A draw away to Wolves could further hamper their title chances with Liverpool in fine form.
The Reds have lost just once in the league so far this season and have dropped only 10 points since the middle of September.
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