A showcase for Arsenal’s newfound European credentials spiralled into a nightmare. They had torn through Wolves in the first half and it felt like some kind of achievement that the home side, short of confidence and hopelessly porous, had struggled towards the break with only the concession of a Nicolas Pépé goal. Then came an incident that stopped the visitors’ hot streak and set the stage for Wolves to halt their eight‑game winless run, seeing matters out in comfort against nine men.
Craig Pawson was moments from blowing for half-time when Daniel Podence sent Willian José behind the
Arsenal defence with a cute through ball. David Luiz, the player exposed, set off in pursuit and clipped the striker with his knee. There is little doubt he committed a foul and the resulting penalty award was fair. But Pawson then brandished a red card and, given David Luiz had not offered any challenge, it seemed a highly questionable call. He had done little more than run in a straight line but the VAR official, Jonathan Moss, backed his colleague up and the Brazilian had no recourse from there.