Arsenal charged by FA following Wolves incident and Newcastle United ban U-Turn

The Gunners face reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League before making the trip to St James’ Park for the second-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United. It could be a season-defining few days for Arsenal who have been at the centre of many headlines this week.

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card against Wolves and subsequent three-match ban was overturned by the FA after a successful appeal by the Gunners. The teenager, therefore, will be eligible to face the Citizens and Magpies in their upcoming matches.

A statement released by the FA on that successful appeal read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly and removed his three-match suspension. The Arsenal player was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, January 25, 2025.”

Despite being down to ten men, Arsenal would go on to defeat Wolves at Molineux and record their third win in five Premier League matches. Ahead of their clash with City, however, the FA have charged Arsenal for their reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s red card as the Gunners player surrounded referee Michael Oliver.

‘Arsenal FC has been charged after its players surrounded a match official during their Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on Saturday, 25 January.’ An FA statement released on Thursday read.

‘The club allegedly failed to ensure that its players did not behave in an improper manner around the 43rd minute. Arsenal FC has until Monday, 3 February, to provide a response.’

Within all of this, it can be easy to forget that next Wednesday’s clash between Newcastle United and Arsenal is one of the biggest matches to be played at St James’ Park in recent times. Just 90 minutes stands between the Magpies and a return to Wembley, two years after their unsuccessful trip to the home of football in the 2023 Carabao Cup final.

However, standing in their way are an Arsenal side who will be hurt after having already tasted defeat twice against Newcastle United this season and with just one win at St James’ Park in their last four visits. Arteta’s side have a two goal deficit to overcome on Wednesday night after their 2-0 first-leg defeat to the Magpies in the capital.