Wolves endured another tough Premier League defeat on Saturday afternoon, going down 1-0 at home to Arsenal. Although the odds were stacked against them going into the match, the Old Gold had moments of hope and were given a lifeline when Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card for a poor challenge on Matt Doherty in the first half. This sent Arsenal down to 10 men, providing Wolves with the numerical advantage. However, despite this, Wolves failed to make the most of the situation and were unable to break down the Gunners’ defense.
The game took another dramatic turn in the second half when Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber. This red card was particularly frustrating for Wolves, as it came during what had been one of their best periods of the game. Gomes had been playing with real passion and commitment, and his dismissal left his teammates in a difficult position.
Vitor Pereira, speaking to the media after the match, acknowledged that the red card for Gomes was the turning point of the game. He said, “The Joao Gomes red was the turning point in the game, it was our best period.” Despite this setback, Pereira seemed to believe that Wolves had been performing well and that the result didn’t reflect their efforts on the pitch. He compared the game to their previous defeat to Chelsea, where Wolves had been reacting to the game rather than dictating the flow of play. In contrast, Pereira felt that his team had played as a unit against Arsenal, but that the red cards disrupted their momentum and ultimately led to their downfall.
After the sending off of Gomes, Wolves were unable to recover and found themselves playing with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Arsenal, still a quality side even with 10 players, eventually capitalized on the situation. Substitute Riccardo Calafiori netted the only goal of the game in the 75th minute, leaving Wolves with little time to mount a comeback. The goal, coming at a critical juncture, sealed the victory for Arsenal and left Wolves to reflect on what could have been.
The loss was particularly frustrating for Wolves given that, for much of the game, they had looked organized and competitive. Pereira’s frustration was palpable, especially since his side had shown signs of a solid team performance despite the adversity they faced. The absence of Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal due to his own red card could have been an opportunity for Wolves to exploit, but instead, it was their own red card that proved to be the game-changer. As Pereira pointed out, “We cannot compare this game with the game vs Chelsea. Chelsea, we were reacting, today we played as a team.” The fact that Wolves had played as a cohesive unit, only for the red cards to derail them, made the defeat even harder to swallow.
Looking ahead, Wolves will need to quickly shake off this loss, as they now face a Midlands derby against their local rivals, Aston Villa, in their next match. The timing of the Villa clash could not be worse for Wolves, as they will have to contend with the absence of Joao Gomes, who is suspended following his second yellow card against Arsenal. The suspension means that Gomes will miss just one game, unlike Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal, who is banned for three matches. Although Gomes will be a big miss for Wolves, his absence offers an opportunity for another player to step up and show their worth in this crucial derby.
For Wolves to have any chance of competing in the Midlands derby, they will need to focus on regrouping quickly. Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, have been impressive in recent seasons and will be a tough test for Wolves, especially in such a high-stakes match. Villa will be looking to maintain their push for European football, making this match a vital one for both sides. Without Gomes, Pereira may need to adjust his lineup and tactics to ensure Wolves remain competitive. It could also see more responsibility placed on the shoulders of other key players such as Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes, who will need to control the midfield and provide the creativity required to unlock Villa’s defense.
Given the emotional nature of the red cards and the subsequent loss to Arsenal, the players and management will need to be mentally resilient in order to focus on the next challenge. The Villa game is not only important for the league standings but also for the morale of the team, especially as they will want to show they can bounce back from setbacks. Wolves’ recent form has been up and down, but they will need to produce a strong, disciplined performance in this derby to avoid another disappointment.
Beyond the Villa match, Wolves’ schedule doesn’t get any easier. They have an FA Cup tie against Blackburn the following week, which will provide them with an opportunity to progress in domestic cup competition. Following that, they will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on February 16th, which promises to be another challenging fixture. These upcoming games will be crucial in determining Wolves’ momentum for the rest of the season, and they will need to show resilience in the face of adversity.
In terms of adjustments for the Villa match, Pereira may look to freshen up the lineup with players like Adama Traoré, who could offer some pace and directness on the wing, and Diego Costa, who will need to be more clinical in front of goal. With Gomes out, there is a gap in midfield that will need to be filled, and it could be an opportunity for the likes of Joao Moutinho or Leander Dendoncker to take on a more prominent role.
The loss to Arsenal, despite being a close-fought game, is a reminder that Wolves need to make the most of the opportunities they get. With their upcoming fixtures, especially the Midlands derby against Villa, they cannot afford to dwell too long on their mistakes. Every point counts, and with Gomes returning after the Villa game, Wolves will need to navigate this tough period and keep their heads up. How do you think Wolves should set up for the Villa game in terms of formation and personnel?