Feb, 3rd 2021 – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says the club is considering an appeal to David Luiz’s red card in a 2-1 loss in the hands of Wolves on Wednesday night.
The Gunners were 1-0 ahead when Luiz was judged to have fouled Willian Jose and, because there was no attempt to play the ball, Luiz, 33, was dismissed.
Ruben Neves scored the resulting penalty and Wolves won the game 2-1.
“I’ve seen it 10 times in different angles and I cannot tell you where the contact is,” said Arteta.
However, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo had a different view and said: “I think the referee doesn’t have any other option in both situations.”
Arsenal led 1-0 thanks to a goal from £72m club record signing Nicolas Pepe, before the Luiz incident in first-half injury time.
Daniel Podence played a through ball and Jose, on his home debut since joining Wolves on loan from Real Sociedad, got in front of Luiz, with the forward then going to ground.
Referee Craig Pawson gave the penalty and sent off Luiz – his third red card for Arsenal – and following a video assistant referee check, the decision remained, although Pawson was not asked to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Luiz is set to miss Arsenal’s Premier League game at Aston Villa on Saturday, but asked if he would appeal the red card Arteta said: “I would say yes, let’s go straight away, but we have to speak and make the decision about what’s the best thing to do.”
Joao Moutinho added a stunning second goal from 30 yards to give Wolves their first win in nine Premier League games, as Arsenal ended the match with nine men after goalkeeper Bernd Leno was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area.