Explained: How David Raya & William Saliba contributed to Myles Lewis-Skelly red card in Arsenal's loss to West Ham

West Ham's winner came towards the end of the first half through Jarrod Bowen. As Mikel Arteta's side chased the game, the Basque coach decided to bring on Lewis-Skelly as a substitute for Riccardo Calafiori. The 18-year-old was shown a yellow card in the 70th minute for a foul on Mohammed Kudus, before referee Craig Pawson was advised by VAR to cancel the caution and show Lewis-Skelly a straight red card due to his offence being a professional last-man foul. West Ham held their lead and won 1-0 at the Emirates.

Per the Premier League Match Centre's explanation on X, the red card was issued as even though the foul took place near the halfway line, goalkeeper David Raya was so far off his line it's conceivable the opportunity for Kudus was clear cut, further emphasised by William Saliba's positioning on the other side of the pitch with no other covering defender.

Arsenal's discipline has been a major cause of concern for Arteta this season as Lewis-Skelly's red card was the fifth time that the Gunners have seen a player sent off in the Premier League since the start of the campaign.

The red card against West Ham was not Lewis-Skelly's first red card this season as the 18-year-old was sent off last month against Wolves. However, an appeal by Arsenal saw the red card overturned after the game. He will be suspended for this Wednesday's trip to Nottingham Forest.