A fierce Premier League clash ended in controversy as Arsenal fell 0-1 to West Ham. A former PGMOL chief slammed referee Craig Pawson for his handling of a clear red-card incident involving defender Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The decision sparked outrage among supporters and pundits alike.
West Ham’s attacker Mohammed Kudus capitalized on a defensive error. He pounced on a loose ball and pulled Lewis-Skelly down near his own half. Only one Arsenal player trailed the play, exposing the backline.
Jarrod Bowen opened the scoring for West Ham at the Emirates on 22 February. His goal forced Arsenal into a frantic chase to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the table. The Gunners’ defensive lapse cost them dearly.
Eighteen-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly has risen quickly under Mikel Arteta this season. He once even mocked Erling Haaland during a 5-1 defeat against Man City. Yet, in this instance, the young defender appeared out of his depth.
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Craig Pawson initially brandished a yellow card for the challenge. VAR later intervened, and the decision was changed to a red card with under 20 minutes remaining. Arsenal fans had briefly celebrated before the shift to 10 men altered the game’s course.
This incident follows a series of contentious refereeing decisions. In a recent 2-2 draw, a penalty awarded to Everton was reversed after a VAR review. A former official described that reversal as “farcical,” questioning the consistency of the VAR system.
The latest decision has further hurt Arsenal’s title challenge. The current Premier League standings show Liverpool on 61 points, Arsenal on 53, and Nottingham Forest on 47. Arsenal now trail Liverpool by eight points as the season intensifies.
The match exposes deep flaws in current refereeing standards. VAR had to step in to correct an obvious denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Such errors, which can decide the fate of a game, demand stricter officiating to protect the integrity of the sport.
