Wolves 2 – 1 Arsenal

David Luiz and Bernd Leno were sent off when the nine-man Arsenal imploded to give the Wolves a 2-1 win at Molineux on Tuesday.

Arsenal were seconds from taking the lead at halftime thanks to a single shot from Nicolás Pepe, but things turned ugly in first-half injury time when Luiz was shown a direct red card for taking down Willian José in the Rubén Neves tied from the area. penalty spot.

Joao Moutinho’s shocking first goal at Molineux gave the Wolves momentum two minutes after the restart, and the game moved ahead of the Gunners 18 minutes from time when goalkeeper Leno received his marching orders after inexcusably manipulating the ball. out of your area.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had one last chance to snatch a point from Arsenal, but his seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end when the Wolves clinched a vital first win since December 15, sealing a first league double over the Gunners. since 1978/79 season.

The Arsenal implodes when the wolves return to the winning path

Arsenal came to Molineux undefeated in seven and were confident and dominant from the start as they nearly put the game out of reach for the Wolves in the first 10 minutes.

With just 45 seconds left, the returning Bukayo Saka clung to Thomas Partey’s eye-of-the-needle pass, only to see his left-foot firing cannon back off the post.

After leading Rui Patricio to a decent save, Saka thought he had given Arsenal a late lead with a clinical shot to the far corner, but Alexandre Lacazette was found to have been offside in preparation.

Having been on the verge of being impressed from the start, the Wolves established a foothold in the game, albeit without creating clear opportunities, but Arsenal still posed a threat whenever they ventured forward.

An impressive finger-tip save from Patricio deflected Pepe’s near-post shot to the crossbar in the 25th minute, but the Gunners couldn’t refuse for much longer as their next significant attack produced the advance.

Pepe took advantage of the poor defense of Nelson Semedo and Neves, skipping two weak challenges before launching an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

That seemed to have secured Arsenal a well-deserved lead at halftime until Luiz’s costly trip to Willian José as he ran towards goal. The Brazilian received a direct red card and the Gunners ‘triple hazard was sealed by Neves’ ruthless spike in the top corner.

With all the dynamics and complexion of the game turned upside down, Wolves needed little time to take advantage when Moutinho, on attempt 61, scored his first home goal for the Wolves with a spectacular 30-yard shot that hit the post.

Arsenal still posed a threat to Wolves’ one-goal lead, but their task became insurmountable in the 72nd minute when Leno ran out of his area to prevent Adama Traore from picking up a long ball and, in a moment of madness, hit the ball out of play.

Referee Craig Pawson was forced to brandish the red card for the second time after deliberate handball, and despite Aubameyang’s belatedly blocked opportunity, there was nothing Arsenal could do to deny the Wolves a first win of 2021.

Opta stats: Wolves double over Arsenal

• The Wolves recorded their first win in nine Premier League games (3 draws and 5 draws), since a 2-1 win over Chelsea in December.
• Arsenal suffered their first defeat in eight Premier League games (five wins and two draws), conceding as many goals against Wolves today as in their previous seven in the competition (2).
• The Wolves completed their first league double over Arsenal since 1978-79.
• Since Mikel Arteta’s first game in charge of Arsenal on Boxing Day 2019, the Gunners have received nine Premier League red cards, six more than any other team.
• Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé has scored in three straight league away appearances for the first time since January 2019, when he scored four in a row on the road for Lille.
• Since making his Premier League debut for Arsenal in August 2019, David Luiz has received more red cards (3) and conceded more penalties (6) than any other player in the competition.
• João Moutinho scored his first goal at home for Wolverhampton Wanderers in all competitions (61 matches at Molineux), while his three Premier League goals have come from outside the area.
• Bernd Leno became the second Arsenal goalkeeper to be sent off in the Premier League, after David Seaman in November 1993 against West Ham.

Whats Next?

Sunday February 7 1:00 p.m.

Start 2:00 pm

Arsenal will travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday at 12.30pm, before Wolves host Leicester on Super sunday at 2 pm – live on Sky Sports Premier League.