Keith Hackett Criticizes Officiating, Claims Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly Was Lucky to Escape Red Card

Former PGMOL chief, Keith Hackett, has weighed in on the controversial officiating during Arsenal’s emphatic 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, stating that left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly should have been sent off.

Lewis-Skelly, who was booked in the 24th minute for a foul on Luuk de Jong, made another late challenge on Richard Ledezma just two minutes later. Many expected a second yellow card, but the 18-year-old remained on the pitch, sparking debates about inconsistent refereeing.

Hackett, while acknowledging the leniency of the officials, praised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for his quick decision to substitute Lewis-Skelly in the 35th minute, replacing him with Riccardo Calafiori to avoid further risks.

"We witnessed a little bit of inconsistent officiating," Hackett told GOAL. "I thought the first yellow for Lewis-Skelly was a little weak, but then after receiving that yellow, he committed a very clear yellow card offence by stopping a promising attack; he should have then walked. He didn’t."

Lewis-Skelly has already seen red twice this season, though one of those dismissals—against Wolves—was later overturned.

A Lucky Escape or Smart Game Management?

While Hackett’s criticism of the officiating is valid, Arteta’s quick reaction highlights his tactical awareness. Arsenal’s dominance in the game meant they could afford to take off the young defender early, preventing what could have been a costly sending-off.

However, Lewis-Skelly’s disciplinary record is something the teenager must improve. While aggression and energy are crucial for a modern full-back, knowing when to pull out of a challenge is just as important. Had the referee been stricter, Arsenal might have found themselves down to 10 men early in the game.

Nonetheless, the Gunners’ massive 7-1 victory overshadows the controversy. But looking ahead, Arteta will likely have a word with Lewis-Skelly to ensure his youthful exuberance doesn’t turn into a liability in crucial matches.

Was this a case of Arsenal getting lucky, or just smart management by Arteta? Fans and analysts will certainly have their say.