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Myles Lewis-Skelly is withdrawn from Arsenal’s Champions League match against PSV after 34 minutes following a potentially red-card-worthy incident.
Arsenal’s young defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was taken off just 34 minutes into their Champions League last-16 first leg match against PSV Eindhoven. The 18-year-old found himself at the center of controversy after a series of incidents that nearly saw him receive a red card.
Lewis-Skelly, who had only recently returned from a domestic suspension, was booked in the 24th minute for pulling back PSV’s Luuk De Jong. Just minutes later, he tripped Richard Ledezma, raising concerns among fans and commentators alike. Alan Shearer, speaking on Amazon Prime’s coverage, remarked that Lewis-Skelly was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card, which would have resulted in his dismissal.
The decision to substitute Lewis-Skelly was likely a precautionary measure by Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, to avoid the risk of playing with ten men for the remainder of the match. Ex-referee Mark Clattenburg weighed in on the incident, explaining that the referee judged the challenge as careless rather than reckless, which ultimately spared Lewis-Skelly from a second booking.
Despite the early substitution, Arsenal managed to maintain their composure and secure a lead in the first half, with goals from Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri. The match ended with Arsenal holding a crucial advantage going into the second leg of the tie.
Lewis-Skelly’s disciplinary issues have been a concern for Arsenal this season, and this latest incident highlights the need for the young defender to work on his decision-making and composure on the pitch. As Arsenal continues their Champions League campaign, Arteta will undoubtedly be focusing on ensuring his players maintain their discipline to avoid any further setbacks.
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