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Arsenal survived the controversial dismissal of younger full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly to safe a significant three factors at Wolves and stay sizzling on the heels of Liverpool on the prime of the Premier League.
Lewis-Skelly was proven a straight pink card for a problem on Matt Doherty after 43 minutes, the defender chopping down the previous Tottenham man simply exterior the Wolves space as he tried to launch a counter assault. Referee Michael Oliver deemed it severe foul play together with his view backed by VAR, though it appeared a harsh name with the guests fast to specific their displeasure.
Wolves’ Joao Gomes was additionally sent-off with 20 minutes to go – and there could possibly be few complaints about that call – with Arsenal scoring quickly after by Riccardio Calafiori, who had been introduced on at half-time as Mikel Arteta reshuffled his pack after Lewis-Skelly’s departure.
It was a deserved win for the Gunners, who confirmed extra attacking intent all through in opposition to a Wolves aspect who stay in relegation hassle.
The win retains Arsenal six factors behind Liverpool, who beat Ipswich 4-1 at Anfield.
Three factors for The Arsenal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FTLsKJuV4r
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2025
Wolves’ dallying virtually opens the door for Arsenal
Wolves had been virtually the architects of their very own downfall early on, twice making a multitude on the again and almost providing a chance to Arsenal.
However Santiago Beuno cleared simply forward of Gabriel Martinelli after the primary mistake earlier than goalkeeper Jose Sa managed to scramble clear after a heavy contact virtually allowed Kai Havertz the best of finishes.
On the different finish, Rayan Ait-Nouri got here shut however simply failed to attach with Pablo Sarabia’s inswinging free-kick from the left.
Arsenal had been slowly beginning to assert their authority however Havertz wasted two presentable probabilities to open the scoring. The German has been extensively criticised for his lack of killer intuition in current weeks, though he did handle a aim and an help in opposition to Dinamo Zagreb within the Champions League in midweek.
The Germany ahead fluffed his strains at Molineux, nevertheless. First, he planted a header huge from a Leandro Trossard cross after 19 minutes and, 5 minutes later, the previous Chelsea ahead nodded one other Trossard cross straight at Sa when he should have carried out higher.
Martinelli noticed his penalty appeals rejected by each Oliver and VAR after 26 minutes after he felt he was introduced down by Emmanuel Agbadou.
Indignant Arsenal baffled by pink card
Arsenal had been offended however that was nothing in comparison with the outpouring of rage that accompanied Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal two minutes earlier than the break.
Referee Oliver was not endearing himself to the Arsenal workers or followers and he prompted extra gnashing of tooth inside three minutes of the restart when Gomes, who was already on a yellow for kicking the ball away, did so once more however escaped additional sanction.
The ten males had been dominant, nevertheless. Gabriel failed to select a team-mate when heading again throughout aim, Jurrien Timber noticed a penalty enchantment waved away whereas Sa needed to get down nicely to avoid wasting a Declan Rice effort.
On the different finish, David Raya made a terrific save to disclaim substitute Hwang Hee-Chan earlier than Havertz put one other header huge.
It was finish to finish stuff and the much-admired Matheus Cunha may have scored twice in a matter of a minute. His preliminary effort was deflected and introduced a high-quality save from Raya and, from the ensuing nook, the Brazilian fireplace huge.
Gomes sees pink and Arsenal capitalise
The sport modified within the seventieth minute when the numbers had been evened up. Gomes clearly hadn’t realized from his earlier let-off and clattered into Timber with an terrible problem and noticed the inevitable second yellow and subsequent pink.
Arsenal took full benefit and Calafiori opened the scoring, smashing dwelling after Nelson Semedo had made a multitude of Martinelli’s cross.
Wolves’ greatest probability of an equaliser fell to Ait-Nouri however Raya dashed off his line to repel his effort as Arsenal held on.
