Ex-referee Mike Dean gives verdict on Myles Lewis-Skelly red card as Arsenal star suffers from VAR call

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has explained why Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off during Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham in the Premier League.

The Gunners endured a frustrating afternoon at the Emirates Stadium as the Hammers provided a stern challenge to their title hopes once again.

Jarrod Bowen provided the killer blow for the side, while Arsenal were simply unable to carve open the opportunities needed to drag themselves back into it.

To add insult to injury for Mikel Arteta, it was made even worse late on as Myles Lewis-Skelly picked up a red card late on.

Following the VAR decision to overturn the initial yellow to become a red, former Premier League referee Mike Dean has discussed the call.

• READ MORE: Arsenal fans left fuming with Martin Odegaard after baffling decision in West Ham defeat

Mike Dean explains why Myles Lewis-Skelly got red card for Arsenal

Lewis-Skelly saw red once again as his last-man challenge on Mohamed Kudus initially saw Craig Pawson awarded a yellow card, only for it to be overturned by VAR.

While the red card for a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, some may have been frustrated by the distance to goal that it occurred at.

Ex-referee Mike Dean has explained that the position of Raya and Lewis-Skelly played a huge role in the decision.

He said on Sky Sports: “100 per cent [the right decision]. Even though its on the halfway [line], that’s the only doubt with the referee because it’s so far from goal but he’s only got the goalkeeper probably 20 yards in front of him and 30 or 40 yards behind him.

“So for me, it’s definitely a goalscoring opportunity for me, 100 per cent, it’s going to be a red card, 100 per cent it has to be.”

Lewis-Skelly now has a one-match ban to serve, meaning he will miss the clash with Nottingham Forest before returning to face Manchester United.

• READ MORE: Former Arsenal transfer flop could now be set to haunt the Gunners in Champions League clash

Arsenal yellow card and red card discipline in the Premier League

Arsenal’s disciplinary record has been a real concern this season and something that has re-emerged from the early years of Arteta’s reign at the club.

The Gunners have picked up five red cards this season, more than any other team in the Premier League – Ipswich and West Ham are second with four.

Arsenal rank lower for yellow cards, picking up 53, which puts them around 14th in the table for cautions compared to their rivals – level with Liverpool.

Overall though, it has been the sending-offs that have proven costly in matches, with the side now dropping points in almost every game with a red card in.