Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was pleased that Myles Lewis-Skelly¡¯s red card was rescinded but criticized the abuse aimed at referee Michael Oliver by fans.
The 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly has escaped a three-match suspension after the FA overturned Oliver¡¯s decision to send him off in Saturday¡¯s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lewis-Skelly was dismissed for tripping Wolves¡¯ Matt Doherty on a counterattack before halftime and the dismissal, which was upheld by VAR, was criticized by fans and pundits.
The referees¡¯ body, PGMOL, said the police were investigating threats and abuse directed at Oliver following the game.
¡°Obviously (we are) really happy that the decision has been made and Myles is going to be available for us,¡± Arteta told reporters on Tuesday.
¡°Every time I talk about (abuse towards) a player, a coach, it doesn¡¯t matter. We have to try hard to eradicate it from the game. It certainly damages our sport. So let¡¯s get it out.
¡°We focus on the evolution of football and where it is heading in the next five years. I think one big evolution we can have is to make a social environment that is better.
¡°We don¡¯t need to keep this hatred, it removes the beauty of the sport.¡±
Arsenal face Girona in their final league-phase game in the Champions League on Wednesday and Arteta was full of praise for their opponents, despite the Catalan side¡¯s early elimination in their debut European campaign.
¡°I think this is a beautiful story, especially in the way that they¡¯ve done it,¡± Arteta said of Girona, who finished third in La Liga last season.
¡°(It) shows you can do big things with a vision. I watched all their games in their group stage as I love the team, I love the coach.
¡°I need to know them very well, they were very competitive against the big names. They didn¡¯t get the result they deserved.¡±
The north London side, third in the 36-team Champions League standings with 16 points, need a draw to make absolutely sure of their place in the round of 16 and avoid a two-legged playoff.
¡°We have been very close to big titles in the last few years but that¡¯s very difficult in football,¡± Arteta added. ¡°Tomorrow we must earn our qualification.¡±
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