Arsenal vs Wolves: 4 Talking Points From Red Card Ruin

Talking points as Arsenal slumped to a 2-1 defeat away at Wolves on Tuesday night, with David Luiz and Bernd Leno being brandished straight red cards either side of half-time. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Talking points as Arsenal slumped to a 2-1 defeat away at Wolves on Tuesday night, with David Luiz and Bernd Leno being brandished straight red cards either side of half-time. (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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Arsenal, Hector Bellerin
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: A dejected Hector Bellerin of Arsenal (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

Despite Defeat, Arsenal Showed Fighting Spirit

From the first whistle to the last this was an Arsenal side who felt like a team. As a unit, the commitment and desire shone through despite the adversity that slapped them across the face at Molineux.

No heads dropped – apart from Leno that is, who just plain left his at home – as Wolves began dictating the game and playing keep ball. Luiz’s red card opens up a series of VAR controversy debates, meanwhile Leno’s opens up…well, the goal for Aston Villa on Saturday.

All of that aside the players still fought. Confidence was oozing from back to front. Each ball was challenged for just as each loose pass was chased after, and when 11 became ten and then ten became nine, all of that remained.

Prior to Christmas the notion of Arsenal showing such commitment would’ve been lost on supporters. It all stems from self-belief and understanding the demands of the individuals, which is a credit to the spirit within the squad and Mikel Arteta implementing his vision.

There was a point where Emile Smith Rowe was dead on his feet. Having run himself into the ground, his name was surely up next for substitution. Then the Leno incident happened, and Partey made way instead. Shattered from head to toe, Smith Rowe never gave in. It would be surprising not to see Martin Odegaard get the nod on the weekend now.

Did fighting spirit win Arsenal three points? No sir. Does it make the light bulb flicker once or twice in the dark room everyone wants to sit and sulk in after that? Yes.