Arsenal are about to see a new side to Lewis-Skelly after three team changes

they influence the next decision. And that's part of the makeup of a lot of competitive players.

"They know they're not going to change the decision. They just want to sow a seed for the next decision. And maybe that's in the thought of Arsenal.

"Maybe that's what the FA want to stamp out. But, you know, if you want a bland answer there, yeah, you would factor in the context. But I can understand the FA still charged them because they did what they did. They can't undo what they've done.

"It's also a wider picture, by the way, as well. It's not just that particular instance. So, yeah, it's unfortunate, but that's the way, that's the life that the players lead. They have to remain composed and calm at all times, if possible."

He added: "And that's the trouble, of course, yeah. And we all have our own views as well. So, you know, you have to sometimes keep those views under control. And when it manifests itself the way it did with the Arsenal players, the FA have to act because it's the wider picture they're looking at. They're not just looking at that particular decision."

Lastly, and again in the wake of that red card reports have claimed that the Premier League is looking into the idea of curbing provocative celebrations. Lewis-Skelly imitated Erling Haaland when scoring against Manchester City, and days later, this report emerged.

Walton said that while indeed these are a bit of fun and in some cases it might seem ridiculous for a punishment to come out, he provided an example of where one player's celebration had endangered younger supporters in the crowd and as a result he had sent a player off for a second yellow card. I am not sure necessarily how this translates to simply imitating another player's known celebration like Lewis-Skelly did, but there was an aspect provided to the debate I had not initially considered.

"Yeah, it can be perceived as a bit of fun, and I'm sure it's meant as a bit of fun, but the people on the receiving end of it may not see it as funny as you and I do, you know, from watching from afar," Walton said.

"And in the law itself, it does say about the celebration of goals, such as the shirt removal because of maybe political slogans or some religious sayings on the vest and things about going over to their own fans to incite some safety issue.

"I can remember refereeing Everton and West Ham, and Freddie Piquionne played for West Ham and scored the winner away at Everton, glorious three points for West Ham. He'd already been cautioned, and he went over to the West Ham fans who are in a real small pen in Goodison, and there was a surge.

"And I cautioned Freddie Piquionne because it created that surge in the crowd because there were some youngsters at the front, and I ended up sending off as a second caution. Now, maybe I was the villain of the piece in that particular instance, but even Freddie realised what he did and just sort of shrugged his shoulders to me and said, yeah, I get it. I understand. And off he went.

"Now, when you extrapolate that and say about choreographed goal-scoring celebrations, I think they're great. I think they're great, and it shows a bit of a human side to players, and it shows a bit of gimmickry to players.

"But just again, have to be careful that it's not going to incite some unease in the crowd itself. And I can understand the authorities wanting to clamp down on celebrations that are perceived to be a bit near the mark when it comes to the opposition whom it's aimed at.

"So, you know, celebrate a goal, I mean, you know, I've played amateur football and you score a goal, that's the pinnacle of playing a game. It's fantastic. And, of course, that's the players themselves.

"But again, it's about that image. It's about safety. It's about security. You know, be really, again, bland about it.

"Players have a duty there, and they should; they just should think about, or if they're choreographing it, you know, on a training field, just make sure that they probably do it towards their own fans and not opposition fans."

I still have, myself, deeper concerns about the particular scrutiny of celebrations or actions of some players over others and that rightfully needs to be monitored as these suggested sanctions could come into place. There is so much that is subjective when it comes to officiating in the sport; fans long for consistency, and that is, at present, very far from being commonplace.

Thanks to talkSPORT BET for helping

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