Riccardo Calafiori breathes life into Premier League title bid as Arsenal defy controversial decision | OneFootball

Arsenal looked in danger of losing more ground in title race after latest red card but found a way at Molineux

After watching his side grind out this 1-0 win at Wolves, the Arsenal manager turned to his coaching staff and hugged them.

Eventually, Arteta made his way to Arsenal’s away fans and, clenching his fists together and raising them to the air, celebrated in front of them.

And well he might as, when Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card just before half-time, it felt the like title might be slipping away from Arsenal.

Arsenal will rightly feel aggrieved about Lewis-Skelly’s red card. PGMOL said it was given for “serious foul play”, but it felt incredibly harsh.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card before half-time

Mike Egerton/PA Wire

The left-back brought down Matt Doherty as Wolves tried to counter from a corner. It looked a stonewall yellow card, the type of tactical foul Arteta is famed for liking his players to do.

Referee Michael Oliver, however, must have decided Lewis-Skelly’s foot was high, but even if that was the case, it was soft.

Arsenal had been the better team up until that point. Havertz had twice gone close with headed chances, with Leandro Trossard’s crosses picking him out on both occasions.

After Lewis-Skelly was sent off, you wondered if this was going to be a game that typified Arsenal’s season - a controversial red card, missed chances and injuries.

The latter had reared its head before kick-off, with captain Martin Odegaard missing this match due to illness and Mikel Merino's absence because of a knock.

Arsenal, however, fought back in a manner that will fuel them with belief going forward. From the start of the second-half, they were the better team and being a man down did not impact them.

Declan Rice was tireless in midfield, driving them forward and he went close to scoring after his effort stung the hands of Jose Sa.

It was Rice’s free-kick that found Havertz, too, but again the German could not get his header on target.

Riccardo Calafiori was Arsenal’s hero at Molineux

AFP via Getty Images

At the other end, Wolves did have some threat. Mathues Cunha - who else - drew a fine save from David Raya and then somehow missed from the resulting corner when the ball looked destined to nestle in the bottom corner.

With the game ticking into the final 20 minutes, Arsenal were given the boost they needed. Joao Gomes was sent off for a second yellow card and, suddenly, the playing field was levelled.

Four minutes later, the Gunners were ahead and through an unlikely source. When Arteta took off Ethan Nwaneri at half-time for Riccardo Calafiori, you wondered if it would come back to bite him.

Chasing the game, and with little on the bench, Arteta had taken off one of his most creative players.

Instead, though, it was Calafiori that scored the winning goal. Gabriel Martinelli’s cross to the back post was only half cleared and the Italian pounced, arrowing the ball into the bottom corner.

It was a finish any striker would have been proud of and one that has breathed life into Arsenal’s title charge.