VAR issues OFFICIAL statement regarding Lewis Skelly’s red card incident – NEW video surfaces

The Premier League has issued a statement confirming the correctness of the red card shown to Arsenal’s young defender, Myles Lewis-Skelly, during their match against West Ham. This marks another dismissal for the teenager, who was sent off in a crucial moment of the game.

Arsenal was already trailing 1-0 due to Jarrod Bowen’s first-half goal when, in the 73rd minute, Lewis-Skelly committed a foul on Mohammed Kudus near the halfway line. Initially, referee Craig Pawson brandished a yellow card, but following a VAR review, it was upgraded to a straight red.
The incident occurred when Kudus won possession and began advancing toward Arsenal’s goal. Although he was still at some distance, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, was positioned outside his penalty area, leaving a potential clear chance for Kudus to shoot.

VAR official Peter Bankes recommended that Pawson review the challenge on the pitchside monitor. After examining the footage, Pawson determined that Lewis-Skelly had denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, leading him to upgrade the caution to a dismissal.
Following the match, the Premier League released a statement explaining the rationale behind the decision:

“VAR reviewed the initial yellow card given to Lewis-Skelly for his challenge on Kudus. Due to the absence of a covering defender and the goalkeeper’s advanced position, it was deemed to be a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity. An on-field review was recommended, leading to the referee changing the yellow to a red card.”
Many football analysts supported the decision. Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green pointed out that Lewis-Skelly was fortunate not to receive a red card immediately:

“That was an incredibly lucky escape for Myles Lewis-Skelly at first. David Raya was so far out of goal that Kudus had a real chance. Even from that distance, without the defender’s challenge, it would have been an open shot on goal.”
Once the red card was confirmed, Green added:

“Arsenal fans may be frustrated, but the reality is that Kudus was denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity from 35-40 yards out. The decision is justified.”

Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton also criticized the challenge, stating:

“It was a reckless tackle. A definite red card.”

This was not Lewis-Skelly’s first sending-off in recent games. He had previously received a red card against Wolves for a challenge on Matt Doherty. Though VAR upheld that decision at the time, the FA later rescinded the red card, but Arsenal was fined for their players’ reactions to it.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against West Ham has sparked debate, but the Premier League’s statement makes it clear that the decision was correct under the denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) rule.

Given that David Raya was positioned far outside his penalty area, Kudus had a real chance to shoot at an unguarded goal, which likely influenced the VAR review. While Arsenal fans may feel frustrated, the consensus among analysts, including Rob Green and Chris Sutton, is that the red card was justified.

This marks Lewis-Skelly’s second red card in recent matches, following his controversial dismissal against Wolves, which was later overturned. However, with Arsenal already struggling in the game, this latest sending-off only added to their problems.

How do you feel about the decision? Do you think Arsenal will appeal, or is this one clear-cut?