It’s ludicrous to suggest that a game when Arsenal had two red cards was their best performance of the season. However, the 2 – 1 defeat to Wolves at Molineux probably was.
Arsenal started in a confident mood, and had a Bukayo Saka goal disallowed early for a VAR offside call. They hit the bar twice, and dominated an opponent who had humbled them at home two months previously.
They took the lead on 32 minutes through an outstanding individual effort from a revitalized Nicolas Pepe. It was an indictment of the team’s improvement as well as the Ivorian’s return to form.
Then, David Luiz. Luiz has done some baffling things on a football pitch, but his red card was ridiculously harsh. A bizarre loophole in the inadequate rules lead to him being sent off for barely touching his opponent – because he didn’t attempt a challenge. Disaster.
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Joao Moutinho compounded their misery with a wonder goal from 30 yards just four minutes after the restart. Chasing the game with then men, Arsenal still battled manfully.
On 72 minutes, the usually dependable Bernd Leno was sent off for handling the ball outside the box. Arsenal have had five Premier League red cards this season, and nine since Mikel Arteta took over.
Despite their propensity to self-destruct, the Gunners are a team on the up. From relegation candidates a few months ago, they now look like a team that knows how good it is.
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With Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka emerging, Thomas Partey finding his feet and Pepe playing more consistently, this trainwreck of a game is still one from which Arteta’s men should be taking positives.
They will have a chance to bounce back and prove their credentials in the early kick off against Aston Villa on Saturday.
