Football

Arsenal gunned down by Wolves

Arsenal's English striker Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Arsenal’s English striker Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 26, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP)

Joao Moutinho’s spectacular second-half strike gave Wolves a 2-1 Premier League win that ended the nine-man Gunners’ recent surge in form.

Arsenal headed into Tuesday’s (February 2) encounter unbeaten in their last seven league games and looked primed to extend their run to eight.

Nigerian born attacker Bukayo Saka saw an early goal disallowed for a marginal offside decision but the Gunners were not to be denied for long. Nicolas Pepe scored spectacularly to give the Gunners the lead but Wolves were level on the stroke of half time.

David Luiz conceded a penalty and was shown a straight Red card for a foul on William Jose as the last man and Ruben Neves dispatched with cold-blooded accuracy. Arsenal’s situation went from bad to worse as they were reduced to nine men after goalkeeper Bernd Leno inexplicably handled outside the area.

Joao Moutinho then netted the winner in the 49th minute as Mikel Arteta and his charges were left to ponder what might have been.

Story by Sammy Wejinya

@SPNAfrica News

www.spnafricanews.com

Sammy Wejinya