'Fuming' - Newcastle United supporter sparks Arsenal meltdown as Premier League issue official statement

Newcastle United have been handed a Carabao Cup boost with the news a key Arsenal player is set to miss the Tyneside encounter.

The Magpies take on the Gunners at St James’ Park on February 5 - and have one foot in the final, having beaten Mikel Arteta’s men 2-0 at the Emirates earlier this month.

And Arteta will have a bit of a selection headache, after one of his key men of recent weeks getting a red card, and subsequent three-match ban.

Somewhat controversially, youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was dismissed for stopping a Wolves break with a lunging leg. Referee - and Geordie - Michael Oliver deemed the tackle to be ‘serious foul play’ as the Arsenal kid appeared to drag his boot down the Wolves player’s leg. And he then reached for the red card from his pocket.

Lewis-Skelly has been a revelation since breaking into the Gunners’ side drifting between left-back and midfield roles in recent times.

Premier League official statement on Myles Lewis-Skelly

The Premier League issued an official decision on Oliver’s call.

It read: “The referee’s call of a red card for Lewis-Skelly was checked and confirmed by VAR, who deemed his challenge to have been serious foul play.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was raging at the decision, which will see Lewis-Skelly unavailable.

Speaking post-match, the Spaniard said: “It is that clear that I leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious. I don't think my words are going to help.”

How long will Myles Lewis-Skelly be banned?

According to the Premier League website, this is what constitutes serious foul play. It reads: “Serious foul play is punishable by red card.

“A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.

“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”

According the FA handbook, ‘serious foul play’ carries a three-match ban.

Arsenal injuries and suspensions

It’s been a tough few weeks for Arteta and Arsenal on the injury front, with a number of key men picking up knocks.

The two biggest blows the Gunners have faced in recent times was the news that in-form striker Gabriel Jesus will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. He suffered a cruciate ligament tear.

Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka is also expected to miss the next month of the season with a hamstring problem.

So far, without any further issues, Newcastle are only without Jamaal Lascelles, long-term, with Callum Wilson expected back in the next few weeks. Harvey Barnes is a recent casualty, who might also miss the semi-final, but should the Magpies make it, is likely to be fit for a Wembley final against Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.