Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta challenged VAR to provide the evidence of David Luiz’s foul that led to Wolves’ equaliser as they fell to an unlikely defeat at Molineux.
Luiz was sent off for allegedly clipping the heel of striker Willian Jose for the equalising penalty converted by Ruben Neves.
The incident, on the stroke of half-time, proved a pivotal moment as it allowed Wolves back in the game and left Arsenal a man down.
The Gunners’ misery was compounded when, after Joao Moutinho’s 30-yard winner in the 49th minute – his first goal at Molineux – goalkeeper Bernd Leno also saw red for handballing outside the penalty in the 72nd minute.
“It was a big decision. If they can justify they got it right I will apologise,” said Arteta.
“I have seen it 10 times and watched five different angles and I can’t see any contact so I would like to see if VAR has a different angle. I can’t see any contact and it was a big moment in the game.”
As for Leno’s dismissal, Arteta admitted that decision was far more clear cut.
“Bernd came out and hits the ball with his hand – it’s a clear red card and we were down to nine players and it was almost impossible to win,” admitted the Spaniard.
Defeat for Arsenal ended a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
But it looked hugely unlikely for the first 45 minutes as Arsenal played arguably their best football under Arteta. Bukayo Saka hit the post and had an effort disallowed by VAR for a marginal offside as the visitors were the overwhelmingly better side.
Nicolas Pepe gave the Londoners a hugely deserved lead in the 32nd minute. The Ivory Coast international embarrassed Nelson Semedo, beating the former Barcelona right back three times before nutmegging Neves then curling into the far corner.
But the game changed with the incident involving Luiz and, to their credit, Wolves never looked back.
For Wolves, victory halted a worrying slide that gave them their first win in nine league outings, and their first double over Arsenal since 1978-79.
It left their head coach Nuno Espirito Santo a relieved man. “It’s a very welcome win. It means a lot, we have been in a tough moment,” said Nuno.
“The beginning of the game was very difficult – Arsenal were playing very good football, they counter-attacked and they had good possession. It was a tough first half but everything changes with the penalty – the dynamic of the game changes there.
“I think the referee doesn’t have any other options in both situations.”
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3oIC8An
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