Arsenal went into the midweek Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven needing something to spark them into life once again.
It certainly started in a way that suggested Mikel Arteta’s men could find the back of the net again, following consecutive games without scoring.
Arsenal put those goal-scoring questions behind them in the first half when Jurrien Timber opened the scoring with a back post header.
The lead was soon doubled as some impressive movement saw Ethan Nwaneri fire a shot away into the back of the net.
Moments after that though, there were questions over whether Myles Lewis-Skelly should’ve received another red card for the side.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card verdict in PSV vs Arsenal
It was a proud night for Hale End Academy once again as two stars, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, started in the Champions League knockout rounds.
While the former scored a huge goal in the tie, the latter may have been a bit fortunate when it came to his discipline yet again.
Lewis-Skelly has already seen red a couple of times this season and could’ve been awarded one early in the match this time around.
The left-back picked up an early booking and just moments later, put in a challenge that resulted in another foul.
While players swarmed the referee asking for a red card, Alan Shearer said on Amazon Prime: “They got away with one I think.”
Ex-referee Mark Clattenburg chimed in and said: “What the referee has got to do here is gotta is it a careless challenge or a reckless challenge? It’s not a promising attack because the ball is going out of play here.
“So what the referee has judged is it’s a careless challenge. He goes for the ball, he is late, if that happens in the midfield it probably wouldn’t end up as a yellow card… but that certainly isn’t a second yellow card.”
It’s a decision that certainly went in Arsenal’s favour, with the last thing needed being another suspension and match with reduced players.
Myles Lewis-Skelly disciplinary concern for Arsenal
Red cards have been a real problem for Arsenal this season, though Myles Lewis-Skelly has been at the centre of recent issues in that department.
His early yellow card and potential red card challenge that followed could’ve left the Gunners in another difficult position.
It’s an area that Mikel Arteta may need to work on with the youngster, given how talented he is and how good he can become.
The Arsenal manager may feel frustrated that he had to substitute Lewis-Skelly, using up a break to make a change that could’ve been avoided.
If he can tighten up on those big tackles, then it could see him grow into the player many believe he can be.
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