Hackett Exclusive: Myles Lewis-Skelly ‘should have walked’ in Arsenal win at PSV
Arsenal were the beneficiaries of “inconsistent refereeing” in their Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that Mikel Arteta was “alert” and made the right decision by substituting Myles Lewis-Skelly in the first-half against PSV.
Arsenal established a 3-0 lead in the first 31 minutes, thanks to goals from Jurrien Timber, young “superstar” Ethan Nwaneri, and Mikel Merino, who was a controversial starter ahead of Raheem Sterling.
However, following a yellow card in the 24th minute, Lewis-Skelly almost made the match about him for all the wrong reasons.
Myles Lewis-Skelly commits ‘clear yellow card offence’ for Arsenal
The young English defender has shown his ability, by consistently earning a place in the Arsenal starting XI over Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney.
However, for all his talent, Hale End graduate has been sent off twice in just 12 Premier League games this season.
Lewis-Skelly was sent off against West Ham on 22 February, after bringing down Mohammed Kudus as the last man.
Lewis-Skelly also received his marching orders against Wolves, but that red card from Michael Oliver was overturned on appeal.
| Match stats | PSV Eindhoven | Arsenal |
| Possession | 53% | 47% |
| Expected goals | 1.38 | 1.97 |
| Shots (on target) | 12 (2) | 15 (8) |
| Big chances (missed) | 3 (2) | 6 (1) |
| Keepers saves | 1 | 1 |
Against PSV, the youngster was shown a soft yellow card in the 24th minute for a foul on Luuk de Jong, but just moments later the England U19 lunged in on Richard Ledezma, turning to the referee in despair.
Jesus Gil Manzano was surrounded by PSV players, desperate to see the full-back be shown a red card, but the Spaniard decided to give Lewis-Skelly the benefit of the doubt.
Arteta then responded by removing his youngster just 10 minutes later, sensing the danger of leaving him on the pitch, Arsenal, with all 11 players in play, destroyed PSV 7-1 in brutal fashion.
Ex-PGMOL chief praises Mikel Arteta for acting quickly
Following the decision, the former PGMOL chief, Hackett, gave his insight on Manzano’s decision, and Arteta’s quick thinking to Football Insider exclusively, saying:
“We witnessed here, a little bit of inconsistent officiating.
“I thought the first yellow to Lewis-Skelly was a little weak, but then, having got that yellow, he commits a very clear yellow card offence by bringing his opponent down, stopping a very promising attack, for which he should have then walked.
“He didn’t, but his manager was alert, had seen what had happened, and rightly subbed him.
“That maintained the 11 players on the field of play for the remainder of the game.
“Well done to Arteta for bringing Lewis-Skelly off, if the referee was consistent, he would have been shown the red.”