'One of the worst' - Alan Shearer fuming as Newcastle United handed Arsenal Carabao Cup boost
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Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card in the first half of the Gunners’ 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers for stopping a counter-attack with a lunging leg on Mat Doherty.
Referee - and Geordie - Michael Oliver showed no hesitation in sending the young left-back off for violent conduct.
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Hide Ad“It is that clear that I leave it to you guys,” Mikel Arteta reacted. “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.
'Hopefully we don't need to (appeal the red card) and if we have to, it happened and it's a really good precedent what happened with Bruno (Fernandes) this season as well. We are in a position we shouldn't be in.”
Unless successfully overturned, the 18-year-old will be suspended for three matches, including the Carabao Cup semi-final visit to Newcastle on Wednesday, February 5.
Although it is potentially a boost to his boyhood club’s hopes of reaching the Carabao Cup final, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer revealed his fury at the Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal.
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Hide Ad“As a referee you can get it wrong on the pitch, you might see something which is incorrect,” said Shearer.
“How on earth Darren England, the VAR, thinks that the referee has got that right and there is no need to send him to the screen.
“One of the worst decisions that I've seen in a long time. I just cannot see and work out what VAR is thinking going along with Michael Oliver's decision. No wonder it gets criticised by so many people.
It’s been a tough few weeks for Arteta and Arsenal on the injury front, with a number of key players picking up knocks.
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Hide AdThe 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. Bukayo Saka is also expected to miss the next month of the season with a hamstring problem.
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