Speaking exclusively to Arsenal Insider, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has revealed his thoughts on Hwang Hee-chan’s challenge on Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s win against Wolves.
The Gunners were expected by many to secure a convincing victory over the Wanderers, but it was a completely different game.
Mikel Arteta’s men struggled for large parts, and it took two own goals to give the hosts all three points.
Before that, however, Hwang and Lewis-Skelly were involved in a controversial incident that could’ve had a huge impact on the game.
How relieved are you after that last-gasp win against Wolves?
What a moment, how important could that be in the title race?
Mark Clattenburg says Hwang Hee-chan should’ve got a red card vs Arsenal
Hwang was Wolves’ biggest threat against Arsenal at the Emirates.
The South Korean had a huge chance in the first half, where he had the space to run half the length of the pitch on his own. However, his weak shot was saved comfortably by David Raya.
In the second half, just when it seemed like Arsenal were getting frustrated, Hwang went in with a dangerous-looking challenge on Lewis-Skelly.
The Wolves attacker had his studs up and caught the teenager on his ankle. The referee and the VAR had a decision to make, and both of them agreed that it was only a yellow card.
Mark Clattenburg, however, thinks otherwise.
What did you make of Hwang Hee Chan’s tackle?
VAR gave this as a yellow card
He told Arsenal Insider: “Hwang Hee-chan’s challenge on Myles Lewis-Skelly meets all the criteria of a red card.
“It’s got speed, force and malice as Hee-chan’s foot is high and studs are showing, which hits his opponent’s leg.
“This can clearly endanger the safety of his opponent. If Hee-chan wanted to avoid the contact, then he could have lowered and turned his foot to reduce the studs and impact point on the leg.
“This is another example of the VAR frustration in the Premier League, where decisions are not consistent on a match-by-match basis.”
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