The final score might have read 2-1 in favor of Wolves after a rainy 90 minutes at the Molineux, but make no mistake, Arsenal showed plenty of reason for continued optimism before one horrible referee error led to a complete unraveling. The opening 45 minutes were arguably Arsenal’s best of the season; Quick movement, decisive passing, strong pressing, and an outrageously taken opening goal by Nicolas Pepe had the Gunners well in control of Wolves. The vision that manager Mikel Arteta has for his squad was continuing to blossom right in front of our eyes. Then Craig Pawson happened.
Referees are going to make mistakes. Nobody is perfect, and in a game that moves along as rapidly as soccer does, one can certainly excuse the occasional small lapse. VAR was introduced in order to help minimize these lapses and mistakes, but on a night where Arsenal needed the system to be used properly, they were utterly and disgracefully let down. David Luiz has made countless bone-headed plays in his two years in red and white, but this was not one of them. To insinuate that Luiz made any sort of attempt at a tackle or purposely interfered with Wolves’ Willian Jose in any way as he raced in on goal would be to insinuate that you are blind. If there was any contact at all with Luiz’s knee on Jose’s foot, it was most certainly instigated by the attacker.
In Craig Pawson’s defense, at full speed, it certainly could look like Jose was clipped, and a penalty and red card should be rewarded. This is the situation that VAR was introduced for; spot the clear and obvious error, correct it and move on. At worst, the red card should have been rescinded and a penalty awarded for incidental contact. Truthfully, it wasn’t even a foul at all. The fact that VAR did nothing and the red card and penalty stood was an insult to Arenal and to the sport, and Wolves gladly accepted their gift-wrapped victory.
But enough dwelling on the refereeing. The takeaway that Mikel Arteta and his squad should have is that the first 45 minutes showed what Arsenal are capable of in the latter half of the season. With a freshly trimmed squad and a newfound belief, there is no reason why the Gunners can’t challenge for top four honors and a return to Champions League football. Beyond Manchester City, no team in the top flight is enjoying any positive run of form. It’s anyone’s race right now, and if Arsenal can replicate their full strength performance going forward, there are not many teams that could beat them.
The fixture list isn’t as daunting as it once was, with early FA and League Cup exits already behind them. With only the Europa League to focus on alongside the Premier League, there is no excuse for fatigue or lack of focus. All of Arsenal’s aspirations that seemed dead back in December are currently very much in front of them. It is up to Arteta and the team to put the disappointment of Tuesday’s result behind them and build on the positives. The Arsenal of old is not too far off.
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