Arsenal wins Lewis Myles-Skelly appeal

Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly avoids suspension after successful appeal against red card at Wolves, as FA disciplinary panel overturns the decision.

Arsenal has won their appeal against the sending off of left back Lewis Myles-Skelly by Michael Oliver. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Arsenal left back. Myles Lewis-Skelly will not serve a three-match suspension after the club's appeal against his red card at Wolves was upheld by a Football Association (FA) disciplinary commission.

Lewis-Skelly was sent off by referee Michael Oliver in the 43rd minute of the Gunners' hard-fought 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday, with the 18-year-old deemed to have committed a serious foul play challenge on Matt Doherty. Oliver's decision was supported by the VAR, Darren England.

The FA and Arsenal confirmed the decision in a joint statement.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was absolutely fuming about Lewis-Skelly's dismissal, which would have seen him miss Sunday's home game against Manchester City in the Premier League, the second of the Carabao Cup semifinal at Newcastle on Feb. 5, and the trip to Leicester City on Feb. 15.

It is the third time this season that a player has won an appeal against a red card in the Premier League, despite VAR being in operation as a gatekeeper. In September, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was dismissed against. Then in November, Brentford skipper Christian Norgaard was sent off on the advice of the VAR due to a high challenge on England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

United and Brentford successfully appealed the red cards to the FA, with a panel of three former players convened to vote on the referee's decision. In both cases, the panel reached a split 2-1 judgment to overturn the red card. The written reasons behind Lewis-Skelly's appeal should be published at the start of next week.

Newcastle’s Fabian Schar (serious foul play), Daichi Kamada of Palace (serious foul play), and Jhon Duran (Aston Villa, violent conduct) have seen appeals turned down this season.

Police have initiated investigations into "threats and abuse" aimed at Oliver and his family following the controversial red card incident. By the way, he is not on social media, so you wonder how the attacks have been carried out.