Arsenal Player Ratings vs Wolves: Gunners See Red Twice

Arguably the strangest Premier League match of the season took place this evening as Arsenal lost 2-1 against Wolves. Both David Luiz and Bernd Leno were sent off for denying goal scoring opportunities.

Nevertheless, Arsenal were nothing short of brilliant prior to Luiz‘s red card. Nicolas Pépé’s superb first half goal was well deserved after the team came close to opening the scoring on numerous occasions.

Then, red.

David Luiz accidentally took away Willian José’s legs, red. Goal neves. Half-time. Moutinho scores the goal of his career. Then Bernd Leno comically handled the ball outside the penalty area, red. Just farcical.

Arsenal player ratings vs Wolves

Goakeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – 1: I have absolutely no words. Absolutely none. Unbelievably stupid.

Hector Bellerin (RB) – 6: The Spanish right-back was part of a really impressive first-half performance. Regularly offering an attacking threat and dealing with Petro Neto adequately. Arsenal’s best defender on the night.

Rob Holding (CB) – 5: Caught out of position prior to David Luiz giving away the first half penalty. Also pretty poor on the ball. However, he was solid in the air at set pieces.

David Luiz (CB) – 1: I’ve never cited my own footballing experience in an article before but at this point I feel obliged to. I’ve been a centre-back since I was 11 and I’ve given away a number of penalties in a similar fashion to how David Luiz did today.

It’s an incredibly frustrating way to give commit a foul. You run across the back of someone’s legs and accidentally clip them. You just have to learn not to run that risk. David Luiz has never learned despite regularly making the same mistake. The 1 is generous. Such a costly error.

Çedric (LB) – 4: With ten men, keeping things simple is essential. Çedric didn’t seem to know that tonight. Constantly trying to switch the play and taking shots from way too far out. I appreciate it’s difficult as a right-footer at left-back, but the Portuguese certainly didn’t cover himself in glory tonight.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) – 7: A brilliant first half from the Ghanaian. Spraying passes, breaking up play and breaking through midfield. Bringing him off after Leno’s red card was a tad strange.

Granit Xhaka (CM) – 4: It was too good to be true, wasn’t it? Xhaka was so visibly angry in the second half following Luiz’s red card and he was lucky not to be sent off after committing numerous cynical challenges.

Emile Smith Rowe (CAM) – 6: A quieter night for Smith Rowe but he still had some good moments in the first half. Playing as a false nine in the second half, he struggled, understandably. Surprised Ødegaard didn’t start as Smith Rowe looked a little leggy.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – 7: Saka had a huge impact on the team upon his return tonight. Max Kilman just couldn’t handle a red-hot Bukayo Saka. However, his rating has to be docked at 7 due to some poor finishing and predictably non-influential second half.

Alex Lacazette (ST) – 5: Failed to influence the game today. Perhaps a bit leggy as a result of plenty of football for the Frenchman lately. The obvious candidate to be hooked.

Nicolas Pépé (LW) – 8: What a goal. Who knew Pépé had such a great right foot!? He was a threat throughout the first half and despite the disastrous events which occurred after his goal, the quality of his finish can’t be forgotten. He’s registered a few performances to build upon.

Substitutes

Gabriel – 6: Actually very good after he came on. Made some crucial interventions and he looked pretty cool on the ball as well. Must start over Luiz whenever they’re both available in the future.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 5: Shortly after he came on, Bernd Leno was sent off and the game thereafter was as good as done.

Alex Runarsson – 6: Unexpectedly, Runarsson made a few good saves after coming on. Shaky on the ball but that’s Runarsson for you.