“Although we won but I’m very angry”: Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has named THREE players who got him angry despite their important victory over Wolves
Arsenal were 1-0 winners at Wolverhampton Wanderers as they stayed in touch with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
However, they had to overcome a controversial first-half red card given to Myles Lewis-Skelly by referee Michael Oliver. Speaking after the win, Arteta said he was “fuming” over the decision and added that the club would take a decision over any appeal.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was “absolutely fuming” over defender Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lewis-Skelly was given a straight red by referee Michael Oliver, despite catching opponent Matt Doherty relatively close to Wolves’ own penalty area, and not appearing to be the last man.
However, the Premier League issued a statement that claimed Oliver had made the decision due to “serious foul play”.
Despite the sending off, Arsenal were 1-0 winners thanks to Riccardo Calafiori’s strike in the second half, with the away side helped by Joao Gomes’ red card minutes before the equaliser.
Liverpool won their Saturday afternoon match against Ipswich Town, meaning the league leaders retain a six-point and one-game advantage over Arsenal.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Arteta praised his team for getting a win in difficult circumstances.
He said: “It’s incredible what the boys did again. In the context that we were thrown in again, it was about character, personality of the team, courage and intelligence to play the game we wanted to play. It was exceptional.”
Asked about the red card for his 18-year-old defender, he made clear his anger, and suggested Oliver had made such a clear mistake that the club might not even have to appeal to get the decision overturned.
He said: “It is that clear that I leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you. Because it is that obvious. I don’t think my words are going to help.”
On the possibility of an appeal, Arteta added: “That’s for the club to decide what the best decision is. I think it’s that obvious, maybe we don’t even need to.”
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
