Martin Keown Criticizes Lewis-Skelly for Conceding Penalty in Arsenal’s Draw with Everton

Martin Keown Lewis-Skelly penalty critique fuels debate after Arsenal’s 1–1 draw with Everton and controversial VAR decision.

Martin Keown criticized Myles Lewis-Skelly for conceding a penalty during Arsenal’s 1–1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park. The former Arsenal defender reacted strongly to the incident, which allowed Everton to equalize. Keown questioned Lewis-Skelly’s decision-making and expressed frustration over the referee’s call, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about Premier League officiating.

Arsenal started strong, with Leandro Trossard scoring a powerful goal to put the Gunners ahead. However, momentum shifted early in the second half when Myles Lewis-Skelly challenged Jack Harrison inside the box. Referee Darren England awarded the penalty, and VAR upheld the decision despite replays showing minimal contact. Iliman Ndiaye converted from the spot to level the score.

Keown Questions Decision and Execution

Speaking on TNT Sports, Keown described the penalty as “very soft” and questioned the level of contact between Lewis-Skelly and Harrison. “Initially, Myles Lewis-Skelly doesn’t really get the flight of the ball and he’s trying to get his body in the way. But I don’t believe there’s enough contact there for a penalty,” Keown said.

Keown didn’t just critique the officiating—he also offered advice to Lewis-Skelly. He suggested the defender should have focused on clearing the ball rather than engaging physically. “There are occasions where you just have to go towards the ball. That will be one of those where he’ll look back and go, ‘Maybe I should have just tried to clear it,’” he added.

Title Race Impact

The draw leaves Arsenal trailing Liverpool in the Premier League title race. With only a handful of matches remaining, every point matters. The penalty incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many questioning the consistency of refereeing decisions.

Keown’s remarks highlight the challenges young players face in high-pressure situations. While Lewis-Skelly’s intent wasn’t malicious, the moment serves as a valuable lesson in decision-making and game awareness.

Arsenal now shifts focus to their upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid. The team will aim to bounce back from the Everton setback and keep their season on track.

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