Arsenal survived the controversial dismissal of young full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly to secure a vital three points at Wolves and remain hot on the heels of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Matt Doherty after 43 minutes, the defender chopping down the former Tottenham man just outside the Wolves area as he tried to launch a counter attack. Referee Michael Oliver deemed it serious foul play with his view backed by VAR, although it seemed a harsh call with the visitors quick to express their displeasure.
Wolves’ Joao Gomes was also sent-off with 20 minutes to go – and there could be few complaints about that decision – with Arsenal scoring soon after through Riccardio Calafiori, who had been brought on at half-time as Mikel Arteta reshuffled his pack after Lewis-Skelly’s departure.
It was a deserved win for the Gunners, who showed more attacking intent throughout against a Wolves side who remain in relegation trouble.
The win keeps Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, who beat Ipswich 4-1 at Anfield.
Three points for The Arsenal ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FTLsKJuV4r
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 25, 2025
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Wolves’ dallying almost opens the door for Arsenal
Wolves were almost the architects of their own downfall early on, twice making a mess at the back and nearly offering an opportunity to Arsenal.
But Santiago Beuno cleared just ahead of Gabriel Martinelli after the first mistake before goalkeeper Jose Sa managed to scramble clear after a heavy touch almost allowed Kai Havertz the simplest of finishes.
At the other end, Rayan Ait-Nouri came close but just failed to connect with Pablo Sarabia’s inswinging free-kick from the left.
Arsenal were slowly starting to assert their authority but Havertz wasted two presentable chances to open the scoring. The German has been widely criticised for his lack of killer instinct in recent weeks, although he did manage a goal and an assist against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League in midweek.
The Germany forward fluffed his lines at Molineux, however. First, he planted a header wide from a Leandro Trossard cross after 19 minutes and, five minutes later, the former Chelsea forward nodded another Trossard cross straight at Sa when he ought to have done better.
Martinelli saw his penalty appeals rejected by both Oliver and VAR after 26 minutes after he felt he was brought down by Emmanuel Agbadou.
Angry Arsenal baffled by red card
Arsenal were angry but that was nothing compared to the outpouring of rage that accompanied Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal two minutes before the break.
Referee Oliver was not endearing himself to the Arsenal staff or fans and he prompted more gnashing of teeth within three minutes of the restart when Gomes, who was already on a yellow for kicking the ball away, did so again but escaped further sanction.
The 10 men were dominant, however. Gabriel failed to pick out a team-mate when heading back across goal, Jurrien Timber saw a penalty appeal waved away while Sa had to get down well to save a Declan Rice effort.
At the other end, David Raya made a terrific save to deny substitute Hwang Hee-Chan before Havertz put another header wide.
It was end to end stuff and the much-admired Matheus Cunha could have scored twice in a matter of a minute. His initial effort was deflected and brought a fine save from Raya and, from the resulting corner, the Brazilian fire wide.
Gomes sees red and Arsenal capitalise
The game changed in the 70th minute when the numbers were evened up. Gomes clearly hadn’t learned from his earlier let-off and clattered into Timber with an awful challenge and saw the inevitable second yellow and subsequent red.
Arsenal took full advantage and Calafiori opened the scoring, smashing home after Nelson Semedo had made a mess of Martinelli’s cross.
Wolves’ best chance of an equaliser fell to Ait-Nouri but Raya dashed off his line to repel his effort as Arsenal held on.
