Premier League

WOLVES 2 (Neves 45+5 pen, Joao Moutinho 49)
ARSENAL 1 (Pepe 32, Luiz sent off 45+3, Leno sent off 72)

DAVID Luiz triggered a mind-blowing collapse this evening (Tuesday) as Arsenal went from 1-0 up and cruising against Wolves to losing 2-1 and finishing the match with nine men.

The Gunners dominated the opening 45 minutes at Molineux: the only complaint that Nicolas Pepe’s fine solo goal should have been one of many for the visitors.

But on the brink of half-time came a scene Arsenal fans have seen all too often as Luiz was shown a straight red for bringing Willian Jose down in the box, allowing Ruben Neves to level the scores from the penalty spot.

Joao Moutinho’s stunning 30-yard screamer completed the Wolves comeback just minutes after the restart.

Then came another moment of madness as Bernd Leno inexcusably handled the ball outside his area and was given his marching orders, too.

Mikel Arteta looked stunned and angry in equal measures after the game. But he wasn’t angry at Luiz, but with the decision that cost his side a player and the lead.

“The team was really on top of the game, we should have been three or four-nil up and in that action [the Luiz red] the game changed completely,” said the Gunners boss.

“I’ve seen it 10 times in different angles and I cannot tell you where the contact is. If they have another 50 different angles to watch it, maybe I will be surprised. I looked at seven different angles and I cannot see any contact there.

“The team kept trying, kept playing, kept believing. At half-time the boys were so animated because they believed they could still win the game.”

Arteta seemed as confused as the Arsenal fans watching at home when he reflected on the match. He added: “We hit the post, hit the bar, the keeper made a couple of great saves.

“We played exceptionally well, scored one goal and should have scored three or four and had more of a gap, but obviously you concede two red cards in the Premier League. I don’t have any complaints about the second red card.”

This was a night that should have been about how many goals Arsenal scored, not how many players they had sent off.

Within the opening 10 minutes Bukayo Saka could easily of had a hat-trick.

The England winger clipped the woodwork within 40 seconds of the kick off, had forced a competent save from Rui Patricio, and seen a goal ruled out after Alexandre Lacazette was caught just offside in the build-up.

Then came a peach from Pepe, who danced around two players – nutmegging both Nelson Semedo and Neves – before curling the ball into the far corner.

With the Arsenal players set to go in at the break to what no doubt would have been a glowing review from Arteta, Luiz changed the course of the game.

Daniel Podence played the ball through to Jose and the Brazilian had his heel clipped from behind by compatriot Luiz.

Referee Craig Pawson wasted little time showing Luiz a red card, his third for Arsenal. Clumsy. Unnecessary. Unlucky. Call it what you want, it’s a challenge that Luiz has made all too many times in his career.

Neves equalised from the spot, and by the time Moutinho struck what proved to be the winner in the 49th minute Arsenal fans would have been all too numb and confused to know what was going on.

There was still room for more misery, however, this time supplied by Leno, who carelessly misjudged the bounce off the ball as he raced out to clear, handled it and was dismissed.

With Mat Ryan, who signed from Brighton last month, injured, third-choice goalkeeper Runar Runarsson was given a Premier League debut.

He is also set to play between the sticks away at Aston Villa on Saturday in what will no doubt be another nervous away day for Gooners.

Wolves: Patricio, Boly, Coady, Kilman, Semedo, Moutinho, Neves (Dendoncker, 74), Neto, Traore, Podence (Vitinha, 62), Willian Jose (Silva, 90+1)
Substitutes not used: Ruddy, Hoever, Gibbs-White, Richards, Otasowie

Arsenal: Leno (sent off, 72), Bellerin, Holding, Luiz (sent off, 45+2), Cedric, Partey (Runarsson, 75), Xhaka, Pepe (Aubameyang, 61), Smith Rowe, Saka, Lacazette (Gabriel, 45)
Substitutes not used: Ceballos, Odegaard, Willian, Chambers, Elneny, Martinelli