Arsenal survived the controversial dismissal of the young side back Myles Lewis-Skelly to obtain three essential points in the Wolves and stay on the heels of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Lewis-Skelly received a direct red card for a challenge on Matt Doherty after 43 minutes, the defender slaughtering the former Tottenham man just outside the Wolves surface while trying to launch a counterattack. Referee Michael Oliver judged that it was a serious criminal act, his point of view being supported by the Var, even if it seemed to be a hard decision, visitors being quick to express their dissatisfaction.
Joao Gomes des Wolves was also expelled 20 minutes from the end-and there could be few complaints concerning this decision-with Arsenal marking shortly after thanks to Riccardio Calafiori, who had been recruited at halftime while Mikel Arteta remained his pack after Lewis-Skelly’s departure.
It was a deserved victory for the Gunners, who showed more offensive intention against a team of Wolves who remains in difficulty of relegation.
This victory maintains Arsenal six points from Liverpool, which beat Ipswich 4-1 in Anfield.
Three points for The Arsenal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ftlskjuv4r
–Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2025
Wolves’ wait -and -see attitude almost opens the door to Arsenal
Wolves were almost the architects of their own fall from the start, creating defense damage twice and offering almost an opportunity to Arsenal.
But Santiago Beuno cleared right in front of Gabriel Martinelli after the first mistake before the goalkeeper Jose his managed to get out after a heavy touch almost allowed Kai Havertz the simplest finish.
On the other side, Rayan Ait-Nouri approached but failed to take over the inner kick of Pablo Sarabia from the left.
Arsenal slowly began to assert his authority but Havertz was spoiled two presentable opportunities to open the scoring. The German has been widely criticized for his lack of killer instinct in recent weeks, even if he has managed a goal and a decisive pass against the Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League in the middle of the week.
The German striker, however, has shoved his Molinine lines. First of all, he placed a head next to a center of Leandro Trossard after 19 minutes and, five minutes later, the former Chelsea striker hosted his head with another Trossard center directly towards his while ‘He should have done better.
Martinelli saw his penalty calls rejected by Oliver and Var after 26 minutes after having felt overturned by Emmanuel Agbadou.
Angry arsenal disconcerted by a red card
Arsenal was angry but it was nothing compared to the momentum of Rage which accompanied the expulsion of Lewis-Skelly two minutes before the break.
Referee Oliver was not loved by arsenal staff or supporters and he caused more teeth grinks within three minutes of the recovery when Gomes, who was already yellow for kicking the ball, the did again but escaped new sanctions.
However, the 10 men were dominant. Gabriel failed to choose a teammate by returning to the goal, Jurrien Timber saw a rejected penalty call while his had to go well to save an effort from Declan Rice.
On the other side, David Raya made a superb stop to refuse the replacement Hwang Hee-Chan before Havertz placed another head next.
It was a match from start to finish and the very admired Matheus Cunha could have scored twice in a minute. His first effort was deflected and brought a beautiful stop from Raya and, from the resulting corner, the Brazilian fire has been widely dismissed.
Gomes sees red and arsenal capitalized
The game changed in the 70th minute when the figures were equalized. Gomes had clearly not learned from his first outing and launched Timber with a terrible challenge and saw the inevitable second yellow and the red that followed.
Arsenal took full advantage of it and Calafiori opened the scoring, crushing the house after Nelson Semedo spoiled the center of Martinelli.
The best chance of equalization of the Wolves returned to Ait-Nouri, but Raya rushed out of his line to push his effort when Arsenal was holding.
