Richard Keys stunned by ‘incredible’ news coming out of Arsenal

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Arsenal have experienced an eventful start to 2025.

Fans have already witnessed a stunning 5-1 win over Manchester City, as well as serious injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, leaving Mikel Arteta with no choice but to deploy Mikel Merino as an auxiliary striker last time out against Leicester.

It has certainly been a rollercoaster of a start to the New Year – although the strangest development of the lot has arguably just happened after the Football Association opted to fine Arsenal, leaving Richard Keys baffled.

Richard Keys claims FA should punish Michael Oliver instead of Arsenal

Arsenal have now been fined £65,000 after nine players surrounded Michael Oliver, following the red card shown to Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is close to a new contract, during the 1-0 win at Wolves.

TBR Football actually predicted Arsenal would be punished – having already seen similar fines issued for the same offence last season.

A statement from the FA reads: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a £65,000 fine on Arsenal in relation to the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 25 January.

“It was alleged that Arsenal failed to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way around the 43^rd minute, and the club subsequently admitted to this charge.”

In response, Keys wrote on X (previously known as Twitter): “How on earth can Arsenal be fined for an incident that was of Michael Oliver’s making – a decision that was wrong – and was later overturned? It’s Oliver who should’ve been punished. It’s incredible.”

It truly is bizarre.

The FA have already overturned that red card decision, which effectively justifies the outrage shown by the Arsenal players who surrounded Oliver – they were clearly well within their rights to protest the call.

Arsenal have previous when it comes to dealing with the FA

This is not the first time the FA have fined Arsenal for “failing to ensure their players did not behave in an improper way” – it actually happened twice last season.

Arsenal surrounded David Coote during an FA Cup win over Oxford United back in January 2023 – which landed the Gunners a £60,000 fine – before the same offence was committed towards Anthony Taylor during a Premier League clash against Manchester City the following month, which saw the north Londoners hit with a £65,000 fine.

Whether Arteta is actively encouraging protests towards the referee or not, the Arsenal players do not seem to be affected by these fines whatsoever, as the same offence continues to occur.

In this instance – however – Keys is spot on. Arsenal simply cannot be fined for protesting a decision which was later ruled to be incorrect.