Premier League issue statement on VAR red card for Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly

The Premier League have released a statement on why VAR intervened to ensure Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off against West Ham.

Arsenal were desperate for all three points to increase the pressure on league leaders Liverpool as Arne Slot's side prepare to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. But they slipped to what could be a hugely damaging 1-0 defeat.

The 18-year-old defender brought down Hammers forward Mohammed Kudus just inside the Arsenal half in the 71st minute of the Gunners' must-win clash at the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta's side already trailing 1-0 at the time thanks to a Jarrod Bowen goal in the first half.

Lewis-Skelly was initially booked for the challenge, but West Ham players called for a red card, as Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was some 45 yards outside of his goal.

The referee Craig Pawson was sent by VAR to the Referee Review Area, and sent off Lewis-Skelly for a denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

And now the Premier League have released a statement on the decision. It reads: "VAR checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Kudus. Deeming it denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity due to the goalkeeper’s position and there being no covering defender, therefore recommended an on-field review."

The statement continued: "The referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card."

Former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green agreed Lewis-Skelly had to be sent off. When the youngster escaped at first with just a booking, Green told BBC Radio 5 Live: "That is so, so fortunate for Myles Lewis-Skelly.

"David Raya is so far out of his goal that it is a goalscoring opportunity. It may well be a long way out, on the halfway line, but if the defender isn't there it is a free shot on goal. A real controversial call."

Once it was upgraded to a red, Green added: "Arsenal fans aren't happy but the fact is that there was nothing stopping Mohammed Kudus from having a free shot on goal from 35 to 40 yards. It is a red card."

West Ham held onto to claim a huge victory for new manager Graham Potter, his side staying in 16th but moving level on points with 15th placed Manchester United to ease any pressure on the Hammers falling into a relegation scrap.