Arsenal were in full control against Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday before David Luiz once again found himself at the centre of controversy.
The Gunners were up by a goal thanks to Nicolas Pepe's solo effort but the match was turned on its head deep into first-half stoppage time.
Willian Jose was played in behind the Gunners defence and Luiz trailed close behind as the Wolves striker got ready to strike.
The Brazilian defender appeared to clip Jose as he sprinted towards goal, sending the recent signing from Real Sociedad to the ground.
Craig Pawson was quick to award Wolves a penalty and issue Luiz a straight red card and upon a VAR review, both decisions were upheld.
Ruben Neves converted the ensuing spot-kick as the match would go into half-time level at 1-1.
Things would get even worse for the Gunners in the second half, with Joao Moutinho giving Wolves the lead on 49 minutes with a stunning strike from distance.
Bernd Leno then made a huge error by coming out of his box and handling the ball, forcing Pawson to produce a second red card of the evening and reducing Arsenal to nine men.
The Gunners would fall 2-1 to Nuno Espirito Santo's side, who won a Premier League match for the first time since December 15.
Goal's View - Arsenal Correspondent Charles Watts
"It’s an incredible decision to send Luiz off.
"In real time, it’s understandable that Craig Pawson thought it was a red, but VAR should have overturned it straight away.
"There is no intent from Luiz, he didn’t try to make a tackle. All it takes is one look at the replay and it’s clear that the contact - if you can call it that - came when Willian Jose pulled his foot back to shoot and clipped Luiz’s knee.
"Arsenal, who had played so well up to that point, have every right to feel very hard done by."
Twitter reaction to David Luiz's red card
Luiz has now earned three red cards and conceded six penalties since signing for Arsenal in August 2019 – both Premier League highs.
But there was plenty of debate around his most recent sending off. Some believed Pawson got it spot on, others thought the penalty call was correct but the red card harsh, while still others thought it wasn't a foul at all.
I am NEVER one to defend David Luiz but that is so insanely harsh lmao
— Aaron West (@oeste) February 2, 2021
That is not accidental, when David Luiz is involved. Sorry.
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) February 2, 2021
Since David Luiz signed for Arsenal in August 2019:
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 2, 2021
3⃣ red cards
6⃣ penalties conceded
• No other Premier League player has received more than 2 red cards or conceded more than 3 penalties#WOLARS pic.twitter.com/0HG6n48xj2
So if David Luiz slides in and takes the guy down, he gets a yellow card? That is absurd.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) February 2, 2021
Unreal. Best 45 minutes of the season from Arsenal, then that happens in the final few seconds.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) February 2, 2021
Looked like Luiz tripped himself up from the one replay I've seen so far and knocked Jose over.
HALF-TIME! Wolves 1-1 Arsenal.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 2, 2021
Things were going so well for Arsenal before David Luiz remembered he was David Luiz.
9 - Since Mikel Arteta's first game in charge of Arsenal on Boxing Day 2019, the Gunners have been shown nine Premier League red cards, six more than any other side. Freefall. pic.twitter.com/MHMtEUiDsX
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 2, 2021
Nobody suits defensive misfortune on a wet day more than David Luiz. He looks perfectly bedraggled every time.
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) February 2, 2021
Yes, it’s a penalty, and it’s needless from David Luiz, but I can’t help but feel like a straight red is harsh.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) February 2, 2021
That’s a ‘reputation’ red card. If Holding does that I bet he’s not sent off.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) February 2, 2021
Luiz trips his opponent (even though he didn’t mean to) which means it’s a foul. He didn’t go for the ball, so it’s a red. It’s an astonishingly harsh punishment for something accidental, but that’s the reality. The “double jeopardy” revision probably needs a slight rewrite.
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) February 2, 2021
That’s the thing with David Luiz. He can play well for weeks on end. But you know he’s never far away from dropping an absolute clanger.
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 2, 2021
David Luiz 👋 pic.twitter.com/kKbQ713Fgc
— Goal (@goal) February 2, 2021
