Joao Moutinho stunner seals all three points for Wolves as they beat nine men Arsenal at home

A wreckless Arsenal side ended the game with nine men as Wolves came from behind to stop the Gunners’ unbeaten league start in 2021.

Nicolas Pepe put the Gunners ahead after 32 minutes when his fantastic solo run led to the winger curling the ball into the bottom corner. The goal had been coming with Saka hitting the post and having a goal disallowed before Pepe put the visitors in front.

The game completely changed in added time of the first half when Willian Jose went one on one with Bernd Leno. Before Jose could let his shot go, David Luiz’s knee clashed with the striker’s ankles, bringing the Wolves forward sprawling to the floor in the box. Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot without hesitation and showed the Arsenal centre-back a straight red card for his challenge.

Image: Football.London
Luiz sees red after his challenge on Willian Jose

The red card will go down as a contentious one as the Brazilian’s challenge appeared to be accidental on Willian Jose, with Arteta saying after the game that:

‘The only thing that I am saying is I am sitting here, and I cannot see any contact and that is really really frustrating because that was a big big moment in the game.’

Ruben Neves dispatched his penalty coolly with a stylish finish as he slotted the ball into the top right corner, levelling the scores as the half time whistle blew.

It was Joao Moutinho’s first goal at Molineux that settled the game and what a goal it was. The Portuguese midfielder picked up the ball 25 yards out and rifled a venomous shot in off the post, putting Wolves ahead in emphatic style as the home side made their man advantage count.

The second red card of the game came in the 72^nd minute and while Arsenal may argue the first red, there was nothing controversial about Leno’s dismissal. The keeper sprinted out of his box to the wing to deal with a ball sent long over the Arsenal defence and without hesitation the keeper punched the ball with all his strength straight off the pitch.

Leno was well outside of his box when he handled the ball and he knew exactly what he did wrong, a moment of madness from the Arsenal goalkeeper who walked straight down the tunnel without waiting for the VAR decision.

Arsenal now have five red cards in the league this season which begs the question: do the Gunners have a discipline issue at the club?

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