What Mikel Arteta learned as 10-men Arsenal beat Wolves after controversial red card

DAIKY STAR

There was only one talking point at Molineux on Saturday evening: Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card.

It was a cynical challenge from the youngster, but he wasn’t last man, nor was it in a dangerous area. However, he was sent off all the same and VAR agreed with Michael Oliver’s decision – leaving Arsenal fans incensed.

Mikel Arteta’s side struggled at times, and they huffed and puffed to no avail. But champions find a way to score, and that’s what Arsenal did against Wolves.

Arsenal have been brandished with four red cards this season – more than any other Premier League club.

If Mikel Arteta wants to get his hands on the Premier League torphy come May he needs to change this, this Gunners can’t be playing games with 10-men, it’s just not sustainable. Arsenal fans can argue all of the reds have been harsh – but they can’t be putting themselves in those postions.

The bottom line is Arsenal have a disciplinary issue, and it has to change.

Riccardo Calafiori’s impact

Riccardo Calafiori isn’t known for his goal scoring, but he dug Arteta out of a hole on Saturday afternoon after he had been introduced at the break.

It was a strikers finish from the Italian, smashing the ball into the back of the net and easing any doubts that the Gunners weren’t going to get the job done.

“I know Arteta loves Calafiori scoring as his celebrations is just another sneaky team talk,” one fan joked. And another added: “If I was Arteta, I would convert Calafiori to a striker after this match. He’s far better than Havertz…”