Last updated on February 23, 2025
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Myles Lewis-Skelly, just 18 years old, has played only 12 Premier League games but has already received two red cards.
Image credit: afcstuffArsenal’s 1-0 loss to West Ham was marred by Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card, a decision that has sparked debate.
The Premier League has now provided an explanation, citing the roles of goalkeeper David Raya and defender William Saliba in the incident.
The Incident
West Ham secured their victory with a first-half goal from Jarrod Bowen. As Arsenal pressed for an equalizer, Mikel Arteta introduced 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly as a substitute.
In the 70th minute, he fouled Mohammed Kudus near the halfway line and was initially shown a yellow card.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal) straight red card against West Ham United
— Emmy Sam (@emmySam_Cfc) February 22, 2025
– 72 mins@premierleague https://t.co/XkeKKEEIl1 pic.twitter.com/gZUkL85HYC
However, after a VAR review, referee Craig Pawson upgraded it to a straight red for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The Explanation
According to the Premier League Match Centre, Lewis-Skelly’s foul qualified as a last-man challenge because of Raya’s aggressive positioning off his line and Saliba’s distance from the play.
Since Raya was too far forward to act as the last line of defense and Saliba was on the opposite side of the pitch, Kudus had a clear path to goal, leading to the red card decision.
Arsenal’s Discipline Concerns
Lewis-Skelly’s sending-off was Arsenal’s fifth red card of the season, adding to Arteta’s concerns about discipline.
Notably, this was not the youngster’s first red card of the campaign—he was sent off against Wolves last month, though that decision was later overturned on appeal.
