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What Mikel Arteta discovered as 10-men Arsenal beat Wolves after controversial crimson card

Mikel Arteta’s title challenge is still on as they overcame Wolves despite being reduced to 10-men on the stroke of half-time with a controversial red card

Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta’s side took all three points(Image: PA)

There was only one talking point at Molineux on Saturday evening: Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card.

It was a cynical challenge from the youngster, but he wasn’t last man, nor was it in a dangerous area. However, he was sent off all the same and VAR agreed with Michael Oliver’s decision – leaving Arsenal fans incensed.

Mikel Arteta’s side struggled at times, and they huffed and puffed to no avail. But champions find a way to score, and that’s what Arsenal did against Wolves.

And Daily Star Sport has a look at what Arteta learned during a bizarre afternoon in the Midlands.

The red card conundrum

 Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal is sent off for this foul on Matt Doherty of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal FC at Molineux on January 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
It was Arsenal’s fourth red card of the season(Image: Getty Images)

Arsenal have been brandished with four red cards this season – more than any other Premier League club.

If Mikel Arteta wants to get his hands on the Premier League torphy come May he needs to change this, this Gunners can’t be playing games with 10-men, it’s just not sustainable. Arsenal fans can argue all of the reds have been harsh – but they can’t be putting themselves in those postions.

The bottom line is Arsenal have a disciplinary issue, and it has to change.

Riccardo Calafiori’s impact

Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori was the man of the moment(Image: PA)

Riccardo Calafiori isn’t known for his goal scoring, but he dug Arteta out of a hole on Saturday afternoon after he had been introduced at the break.

It was a strikers finish from the Italian, smashing the ball into the back of the net and easing any doubts that the Gunners weren’t going to get the job done.

“I know Arteta loves Calafiori scoring as his celebrations is just another sneaky team talk,” one fan joked. And another added: “If I was Arteta, I would convert Calafiori to a striker after this match. He’s far better than Havertz…”

Showing maturity

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes (left) reacts after being shown a red card during the Premier League match at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton.
Arsenal killed the game off(Image: PA)

There has been a lot of noise about Arsenal’s temperament, but they showed their maturity in the final stages of the game.

Arsenal could have tried to kill the game off with a second goal, but they didn’t; instead they slowed it down and frustrated Wolves.

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The Gunners killed the game in a differnet way, one that wouldn’t leave them open to heartbreak on the counter attack.