Jason Cundy has branded the reaction to Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card as ‘absolutely ridiculous’.
The 18-year-old was sent off by referee Michael Oliver late in the first half when he caught Wolves’ Matt Doherty with a deliberate trip, leading to mass confusion with such an offence often being punished with a yellow card.
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Doherty was brought down as Wolves looked to break away following an Arsenal corner and left some suspecting whether the red card was due to Lewis-Skelly denying a goalscoring opportunity, despite the incident taking place 90 yards from goal.
But the Premier League Match Centre account on X clarified the reason.
“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,” the account wrote.
Arsenal have until 5pm on Tuesday to appeal the red card, with the Gunners hoping to use Bruno Fernandes‘ overturned sending off against Tottenham as precedent for the appeal.
While it remains to be seen if any appeal will be successful, talkSPORT host Cundy believes that the youngster’s red card was fully deserved.
Speaking on The Sports Bar, Cundy said: “The outrage on this challenge is absolutely ridiculous.
“I cannot believe I’m hearing high-profile journalists, reporters and ex-players talking about it.
“I’ve heard Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy and even Troy Deeney calling it one of the worst decisions in history – I don’t see that, honestly I don’t.
“You can make a decision where you think it’s the right or wrong decision but the outrage and outpouring of absolute grief – and that’s what it is, grief in the football world is preposterous.
“I tell you now, honestly it’s insane.
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“I actually feel that this is not one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. I can understand why Oliver’s given it and you can decide if you agree with him or not.
“Personally, I think it’s closer to an orange card even though that doesn’t exist, but it’s not the worst decision.
“I can see why Lewis-Skelly was sent off, honestly I can.
“The ball is nowhere near him, he leads with his studs and makes no contact with the ankle – he starts at the shin and yes, it is cynical and it’s dangerous and I know those two don’t lead to a red card.
“When he’s going for the ball and the ball is gone – I’m sorry, but on another day he gets the same tackle wrong and injures him badly.
“That, for me, is unacceptable and I hope the red stands.”
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Responding to Cundy, ex-referee Dermot Gallagher said: “I certainly agree with you, Jason. It’s not the worst decision you’ve ever seen. It’s almost a knee-jerk reaction and it’s gathered traction more and more.
“I believe it’s a mistake and you don’t, but that’s how difficult refereeing is.
“For me, it’s a trip and it stopped a promising attack.
“People have also jumped on the bandwagon with Darren England and said ‘why didn’t he send him to the screen and make him have a look’ but the fact that you think one way and Jamie (O’Hara) thinks the other tells you that it’s not clear-cut.
“It isn’t the howler that everyone says and therefore he can’t do that.”
Should the ban be upheld, or Arsenal decide not to appeal, Lewis-Skelly will miss games against Man City, Newcastle (Carabao Cup semi-final), and Leicester.
The Gunners are next in action against Girona in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
