Arsenal's Premier League hopes suffered a serious dent on February 22 when they lost 1-0 to West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen scored the only goal of the contest after some brilliant work by Aaron Wan-Bissaka down the right flank.
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The Gunners' problems in attack came to the fore as they struggled to break down Graham Potter's men. Mikel Arteta is set to be without a number nine for the foreseeable future after both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz picked up season-ending injuries.
Arsenal's woes were further compounded after Myles Lewis-Skelly was sent off after just 17 minutes. The teenager, who has made a name for himself this season, started the game on the bench with summer signing Riccardo Calafiori preferred ahead of him.
He was brought on in the 56th minute for the Italian as Arteta pushed for an equaliser. His presence was however shortlived after he received a straight red card for hauling down Mohamed Kudus near the halfway line.
Referee Craig Pawson initially gave him a yellow card but upon review on the pitchside monitor, upgraded it to a red card.
The Premier League confirmed that the 18-year-old was sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO).
"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 referee then upgraded the yellow to a red card."
It is the second time this year the defender has been red-carded after he was sent off against Wolves in a controversial decision by Michael Oliver. That red card was rescinded and the three-match ban overturned.
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For this red card, Lewis-Skelly will only miss one game. A red card from a DOGSO offence carries a one-match ban with the teenager now set to miss the upcoming trip to Nottingham Forest.
It was the same offence William Saliba was sent off against Bournemouth last year. He missed the game against Liverpool.
The defeat leaves Arsenal eight points behind Liverpool. Arne Slot's side play Manchester City on Sunday.
has also reported why Everton's last-minute penalty against Manchester United was overturned.
The Toffees thought they had a chance to win the game in stoppage time after Ashley Young fell inside the area.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
