Post-Match Analysis: David Luiz And Bernd Leno Sent Off As Wolves Defeat Arsenal 2-1
Arsenal had two players sent off as they threw away a lead to wolves- who won for the first time in nine Premier League games.
Gunners as Arsenal FC are fondly called, started the game very well, VAR denied Bukayo Saka a goal after he earlier hit the woodwork and drew a save from Rui Patricio, Alexandre Lacazette was adjudged to have strayed millimeters offside in the build up to the goal.
Nicolas Pepe curled in a fine finish into the back of the net after he held off two Wolves challenges, he was assisted by Alexandre Lacazette in the 32nd minute.
Gunners were reduced to 10 men when defender David Luiz brought down Willian Jose in the penalty box, with Reuben Neves equalising with the resulting penalty in the first-half injury time.
That was the turning point of the game, Arsenal were leading 1-0 and were dominant. Daniel Podence played the ball through to Jose and the Brazillian, on his home debut had his heel clipped by his Compatriot Luiz.
The referee, Craig Pawson decided that Luiz had no attempt to play the ball and sent the centre back off.
It was David Luiz’s third red in Arsenal and his sixth penalty conceded. Ruben Neves was in no mood to ponder the why and wherefores, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way.
Joao Moutinho scored with a brilliant strike from 30 yards out to put the hosts ahead in the 49th minute. Perhaps Bukayo Saka or Thomas Partey could have closed him down more quickly when he took his long-range shot, but it still required perfection to convert from there.
The veteran didn’t give Leno a chance with a vicious, rising blast that cannoned in off his right-hand post.
Arsenal rarely looked like turning the tide and their evening deteriorated further when Leno, perhaps misjudging the bounce of the ball after racing from his area, he scooped the ball with his hand.
He was dismissed in the 78th minute, Thomas Partey was the player that was sacrificed to bring in their second-choice goalkeeper, Runar Runarsson.
Arsenal’s Manager, Mikel Arteta speaking after the match said;
The team was really on top of the game, we should have been three or four nil up and in that action the game changed completely. I have seen it 10 times in different angles and I cannot tell you where the contact is. If they have another 50 angles to watch it, maybe I will be surprised. I looked at seven different angles and I cannot see any contact.
Meanwhile, Wolves completed their first league double over Arsenal since 1978-1979. Having won the reverse fixture by the same score line.
Arsenal will be up against Aston Villa in the League on Saturday while Wolves will take on Leicester on Sunday in the Premier League.