Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher is the latest to give his verdict on the controversial red card shown in Arsenal’s clash with Wolves.
There was fury as Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card for serious foul play, following what appeared to be a routine trip to stop a counter-attack from the opposition.
Michael Oliver’s decision appeared to be down to the timing of the challenge, which was late, and the height of the contact.
With that in mind, Arsenal were reduced to ten players and while that was evened up for Wolves later on through Joao Gomes, it was Riccardo Calafiori who salvaged all three points with a late strike.
While it was a day that Mikel Arteta would’ve wanted to celebrate, much of the focus still surrounded the match officials.
Arsenal fans were furious about the red card, with the wait ongoing to see if an appeal over Myles Lewis-Skelly’s suspension will be made.
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Former referee Dermot Gallagher gives verdict on Arsenal red card vs Wolves
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has given his verdict on the situation surrounding the Arsenal red card.
Chiming in on the controversy, he said on Sky Sports ref watch: “I think it’s breaking up a promising attack, other referees think differently, I think it’s breaking up a promising attack, he realises that Doherty is going to be away his priority is he has to stop him quickly, flicks his leg it’s very cynical but a cynical foul from me isn’t a red card.
“I don’t think it’s the worst decision in the world like people say, if you look at it where Michael Oliver is, he feels and still does feel like he goes down his Achilles. If he thinks he goes down his Achilles, referees are told now a tackle with the studs down the Achilles has got to be a red card.
“I don’t think he does, you look at that and it happens very very quickly and you see where the referee is and he sees it very quickly.
“For me personally, I think it’s a yellow card for stopping a promising attack. Look at this, is it with brutality? Is it with malice? Is it gaining intensity or speed? I think not.”
When asked about the VAR lacking intervention, Gallagher added: “I can’t answer that [why he didn’t],” with uncertainty over that decision.
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Mike Dean thinks Arsenal will be successful in Myles Lewis-Skelly red card appeal
While there awaits the possibility of Arsenal landing a successful appeal for Myles Lewis-Skelly’s ban to be overturned, talk continues over the red card itself.
Former referee Mike Dean has given his own view on the situation, believing that the suspension will, in fact, be overturned.
He said on Sky Sports News immediately after the Arsenal game: “I think they’ve got grounds for an appeal, it’s just whether the panel sits and reviews it with ex-managers, ex-players, which way will they go?
“I think if they appeal, the way managers and players look at it, none of the players will think it’s a red card.
“I think they may well win the appeal. I can understand them not saying a lot because they won the game anyway, but if he [Arteta] loses 1-0 then he may not be as calm as he is.”
Dean had claimed that he understood why the red card was given, though it may well be overturned on review.
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