Wolves vs Arsenal as it happened: Calafiori grabs winner after controversial Myles Lewis-Skelly red card

Wolves vs Arsenal - LIVE

Riccardo Calafiori scored a brilliant winner for Arsenal to give them a 1-0 victory over Wolves, after both sides had been reduced to ten men.

The Gunners were shown their fourth Premier League red card of the season when Myles Lewis-Skelly was dismissed in controversial fashion before half-time. The defender tripped Matt Doherty to stop a Wolves counter, but referee Michael Oliver deemed that to be serious foul play and VAR confirmed that decision. It was levelled up with 20 minutes to go when Joao Gomes, already on a yellow card, lunged in and caught Jurrien Timber, leaving Wolves boss Vitor Pereira furious on the touchline as his midfielder was sent off.

Within five minutes, Arsenal were in front. Calafiori was brought on at half-time and he had the decisive impact, finishing superbly on the half-volley as the ball dropped to him in the box, and that proved to be enough for a crucial three points. With Liverpool beating Ipswich at Anfield, Arsenal’s victory was needed just to keep them within six points of the league leaders, having played a game more.

Wolves vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Calafiori breaks deadlock

• RED CARD: Gomes shown second yellow

• RED CARD: Lewis-Skelly sent off before HT

Simon Collings at Molineux

17:17 , Matt Verri

Kai Havertz was absolutely spent at the end of that.

Had to be hauled up off the ground by a couple of the physios.

Arsenal player ratings

17:08 , Matt Verri

Declan Rice 8

Must have got through more ground than any other player and dragged Arsenal forward when down to 10 men. Back to his best after a quiet Christmas period.

Gabriel Martinelli 7

Never stopped going at his opposite man and was rewarded when his half-cleared cross was fired home by Calafiori.

Kai Havertz 6

Missed three decent chances with his head and should, really, have scored one of them. Worked tirelessly up top, though, and gave Arsenal an outlet.

Read our full ratings here!

Simon Collings at Molineux

17:01 , Matt Verri

A huge result for Arsenal after going down to 10 men. Some big performances - felt like Rice dragged them forward after the red card and Saliba faultless at the back.

Calafiori the hero, though, with a great goal.

FT: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:58 , Matt Verri

That’s a massive win for Arsenal.

They overcome that controversial red card to pick up all three points. Not done in this title race yet.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:57 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Havertz earns Arsenal a corner and that’s where they’ll keep it.

Gunners are keeping the ball just where they need it... as far away from their goal as possible.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:55 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Doyle sends a free-kick from deep towards the Arsenal box, Timber wins the header.

Full-back then wins a free-kick to go with it, Arsenal doing a good job of ticking away the seconds.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:54 , Matt Verri

90+1 mins: Five minutes added on.

And Gabriel is only too happy to take the contact and win a cheap free-kick out wide.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:52 , Matt Verri

89 mins: Guedes goes on a driving run, before Raya comes charging off his line to clear the danger.

And he wins the throw-in too, celebrates it like a goal.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:50 , Matt Verri

87 mins: Here come the changes.

Tierney replacing Martinelli for Arsenal. Inevitable change.

For Wolves, three subs. Doherty, Andre and Ait-Nouri off, with Gomes, Doyle and Guedes introduced.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:47 , Matt Verri

84 mins: There it is...

Ball over the top and Ait-Nouri is in on goal, crucial save from Raya!

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:45 , Matt Verri

82 mins: Arsenal just starting to drop deeper and deeper.

Wolves not exactly piling the pressure on, but it wouldn’t surprise you if they created something in these final ten minutes.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:42 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Arsenal do have about 17 left-backs on the bench.

Not many options for Arteta to chase a game, but he’s got the defenders to bring on in this situation.

Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

16:40 , Matt Verri

77 mins: All the momentum with Arsenal now.

Tempers still running pretty high, as Timber is left in a heap.

Fans wanting a card for every challenge now.

Simon Collings at Molineux

16:38 , Matt Verri

Does Calafiori fancy a go upfront next week?

Outrageous finish from a left-back.

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Arsenal | Riccardo Calafiori 74'

16:37 , Matt Verri

ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD!

Huuuuuuuge goal.

And it’s a brilliant finish, Calafiori on the stretch finds the far corner as the ball drops to him.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:35 , Matt Verri

72 mins: Arsenal win their latest corner.

Better delivery this time from Rice, ball bounces around before Sa comes off his line to claim.

Simon Collings at Molineux

16:34 , Matt Verri

Even after a Wolves player is sent off, the Arsenal fans are still taunting Michael Oliver.

RED CARD!

16:32 , Matt Verri

It’s 10 vs 10!

Gomes has been shown a second yellow card to even it up.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:31 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Good work from Trossard to track back.

Semedo tried to get in behind the defence, but Trossard went with him and wins the free-kick as he tries to see the ball out of play.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:29 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Midway through the second-half, still nothing to split them.

Have to wonder how much these Arsenal players have left in their legs after a relentless run of fixtures.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:25 , Matt Verri

62 mins: Arsenal win a free-kick out wide.

Superb ball whipped in from Rice, Havertz is free at the near post but once again he can’t hit the target with the header.

That’s three big chances he’s had.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:24 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Better spell for Wolves, forcing Raya into action for the first time with a comfortable save.

Both sides will feel this is a match they can win - anything could happen in these final 30 minutes.

Simon Collings at Molineux

16:22 , Matt Verri

Fair play to Arsenal, they've done well since being down to 10 men - but this is going to be a huge effort.

Squad is so tired and stretched, already.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:20 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Agbadou drops to the floor and has a smile on his face as the whistle goes. Not sure even he can believe Timber was penalised for that.

Arsenal don’t have much in terms of attacking options on the bench. It’s basically just Sterling.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:16 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Away fans in fine voice and it’s all Arsenal on the pitch.

Rice bursts forward and forces Sa into a sharp stop. Goalkeeper can only parry it behind for a corner.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:15 , Matt Verri

52 mins: Wouldn’t know Arsenal have ten men, they’re well on top.

Wolves giving away a lot of cheap free-kicks. Don’t think there’s a single person in the stadium who is happy with the referee right now, both sides annoyed.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:12 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Arsenal win a corner - have to make the most of these set-pieces now.

Trossard takes, doesn’t beat the first man. Terrible.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

16:11 , Matt Verri

48 mins: Gomes already on a yellow card, he makes a foul and then kicks the ball away.

Arsenal fans make their opinion on that pretty clear - Michael Oliver not interested.

Simon Collings at Molineux

16:09 , Matt Verri

Arsenal fans: "Michael Oliver, it's all about you."

Back underway!

16:08 , Matt Verri

Calafiori on for Nwaneri at the break.

Red card explained

16:03 , Matt Verri

Here’s the official verdict from the Premier League.

It’s been deemed that it was “serious foul play’ from Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Simon Collings at Molineux

15:59 , Matt Verri

Arsenal dominated much of the play and Kai Havertz gone close with two headers.

Game swung now after Lewis-Skelly was sent off. Felt very harsh on first viewing.

HT: Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:53 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time.

Arsenal down to ten after an incredibly harsh red card decision.

They’ve got a real ask on their hands now to pick up the three points they need.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:49 , Matt Verri

45+4 mins: Seven minutes were added on while that was all going on.

Arsenal happy to slow things down and just make it to the break now.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:46 , Matt Verri

Not really sure how that has been given as a red card.

It was on the edge of the Wolves area, a cynical foul for sure... but a red?

VAR saying Lewis-Skelly caught Doherty high.

RED CARD!

15:44 , Matt Verri

Lewis-Skelly has been shown a straight red!

Wolves tried to break from a corner, Doherty was about to run free but Lewis-Skelly trips him.

VAR will check it.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:43 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Arsenal continue to push for the opener. Rice drives to the byline, cross is turned behind for the first corner of the match.

Rice swings it in, but can’t beat the first man. Bit of a problem when all the Arsenal players are at the back post.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:41

40 mins: Nwaneri and Trossard standing over this.

It’s Nwaneri... lashes it into the wall. Falls for him again, and shoots straight back into the wall.

He won’t be on the next free-kick.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:39 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Shambles from Wolves.

Lose it on the edge of their own area, Andre then slides in and brings down Rice about two feet outside the box.

Free-kick and a really dangerous position.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:38 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Wolves unhappy with Lewis-Skelly... and even more unhappy with the referee.

Arsenal player was sort of dribbling away with the ball after conceding the free-kick, but no yellow card.

Simon Collings at Molineux

15:36 , Matt Verri

Joao Gomes booked for kicking the ball away and is livid with Michael Oliver.

Trossard wanders over and - I assume - tells Gomes he got sent off at City for that.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:35 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Timber now down.

Had a slightly awkward collision after a shove from Ait-Nouri, but didn’t look to be too much in it.

He’ll be fine to continue.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:33 , Matt Verri

32 mins: Strand Larsen needed a bit of treatment on the pitch but that change has now been made.

Time to see what impact the message from Arteta has had.

Simon Collings at Molineux

15:30 , Matt Verri

Arteta using a Wolves player being down to call a mini team talk.

Arsenal been the better side but, as in other games, the scoreboard does not reflect that.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:30 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Strand Larsen has gone down off the ball. That’s the end of his afternoon.

He looks devastated. Hwang coming on to replace him.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:27 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Martinelli’s touch takes him past Agbadou, who seems to step across the Arsenal man.

Half-hearted appeals for a penalty, referee not interested.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:25 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Big chance for Havertz - big save from Sa!

Nwaneri’s turn sets Arsenal away, Rice driving into space.

He plays it wide to Trossard, who fires a cross into the middle. Havertz gets plenty of power on the header, but it’s too close to Sa.

Had to score.

Simon Collings at Molineux

15:22 , Matt Verri

Wolves fans making their views pretty clear towards the owners.

"Back the team or the sell the club," being sung loudly.

Other fans applauding it.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:22 , Matt Verri

21 mins: Almost a carbon copy.

Semedo lets Trossard come inside again, it’s the same cross swung in, but this time Sa is off his line quickly to claim.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:20 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Arsenal work it nicely from one side of the pitch to the other.

Trossard is allowed to cut onto his right foot, clips a great cross to the back post... Havertz heads just wide!

He thought that was in.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:17 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Arsenal dominating the ball, starting to push Wolves right back.

Sa looks a bit of a nervous wreck whenever the ball is played back to him. Arsenal not giving him a second.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:14 , Matt Verri

13 mins: More like it from Arsenal.

Ball fizzed into Rice in the box, he’s made a good run and has found space, but the first touch lets him down.

Bobbles away from him and Wolves clear the danger.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:11 , Matt Verri

10 mins: Out of nowhere, Wolves open Arsenal up and it’s a real chance to take the lead.

Semedo flies down the right wing and curls in a brilliant cross.

Sarabia running onto it, he’s free in the box but can’t hit the target with the volley.

Simon Collings at Molineux

15:10 , Matt Verri

Wolves look so shaky playing out from the back and that nervous energy is feeding off into the ground.

Sa already getting told, in no uncertain times, to not take his time on the ball.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:10 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Nearly a disaster for Sa!

He takes too long on the ball, Havertz comes charging in to close him down.

Havertz does get a touch to the ball, but Sa slides in to knock it away.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:08 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Fairly low-key start to this match.

Wolves have their first chance to attack as Larsen gets on the end of a ball in behind, but he’s forced to turn back.

Cunha then whips a cheap free-kick off Partey.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:05 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Lewis-Skelly already making an impact on his return to the side.

So powerful on the ball, especially when you consider his age.

Wolves’ only way of stopping him driving forward is to make the foul.

Wolves 0-0 Arsenal

15:03 , Matt Verri

2 mins: A mess in the Wolves box.

Defenders let it bounce, Havertz challenges and it very nearly falls for Martinelli.

Just about hacked away as the Brazilian thinks he’s about to tap it in.

KICK-OFF!

15:00 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running!

Here we go!

14:58 , Matt Verri

Players are out on a sunny afternoon at Molineux.

Start to this match feels crucial. Early goal for Arsenal and they should be able to turn this into a comfortable match.

But a strong start for Wolves and it could get a bit uncomfortable.

14:54 , Matt Verri

Teams will be in the tunnel in the next couple of minutes.

Wolves were practicing defending set-pieces in their warm-up - fair to say they know Arsenal are pretty decent at them.

Not long now!

14:46 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups coming to an end at Molineux, with kick-off just under 15 minutes away.

Wolves currently only outside the relegation zone on goal difference, so every point is precious for them.

Arsenal know they need all three, or that could really be the end of their title bid already.

Liverpool are hosting Ipswich in one of the other 3pm kick-offs - Arsenal won’t be expecting an upset there.

Arteta discusses team news

14:39 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of kick-off, explaining Arsenal’s two absences in midfield this afternoon.

"Martin [Odegaard] was ill this morning and we had to send him back - he was nowhere near fit to play,” he says.

"Mikel [Merino] as well, because he got a knock and couldn't make it yesterday for training."

Arteta involving squad in transfer talk

14:33 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has revealed he is consulting with his Arsenal squad over new signings as he underlined the need to bring in a forward before the January transfer window shuts.

Arsenal are in the market for attacking reinforcements after Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus both picked up injuries.

“If we can get the right player, that’s why we are actively looking at it,” said Arteta. “Any player, no. Someone that makes us better and has an impact on the team.”

Arteta is aware of the mood in the squad and has revealed how he speaks to them about prospective signings to learn more about them.

“Especially if they know them because that’s getting us away from the computer and what the data is saying and it is real,” he said.

“I have seen it, I sense it. A player can score a lot of goals, great. How does this player react when he hasn’t scored for six or seven games? This is what I am interested in.

“Watch an interview with a player who hasn’t scored for six games, and then what kind of goals does he score? Against which teams in which context? Is it first half or second half? Is it only with his right foot, only headers, only in open spaces? Does he like the physical contact of this league?

“So when you have a player that has spent a lot of days with him, that is really valuable information to have.”

Arsenal risk painful transfer reminder

14:25 , Matt Verri

The calls for Arsenal to sign a striker this month have slightly eased over the past few days, but it is not hard to see how they could quickly pick up again after this trip to Wolves.

Not for the first time during the January transfer window, Arsenal are facing a side who are led by a forward player they have tracked.

Earlier this month, that was the case when Mikel Arteta’s side hosted Newcastle and Alexander Isak terrorised Arsenal on the way to the Magpies winning 2-0 at Emirates Stadium.

This time, the Gunners come face to face with Wolves striker Matheus Cunha - who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this month.

The demand among Arsenal fans for the club to sign a new attacker grew after Isak tormented them - and history could easily repeat itself if Cunha is able to put Arteta’s side to the sword.

Read our full preview here!

Absences explained

14:16 , Matt Verri

As we’ve covered, no Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino for Arsenal this afternoon.

Odegaard misses out due to illness, while Merino has picked up a knock.

Gabriel captains the side.

Simon Collings at Molineux

14:06 , Matt Verri

Martin Odegaard missing out presents another big opportunity for Ethan Nwaneri to impress.

In the building!

13:58 , Matt Verri

The Gunners have arrived at Molineux...

No Odegaard for Arsenal

13:51 , Matt Verri

Mixed team news for the Gunners.

William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both fit to start in defence, in what is a major double boost.

But Martin Odegaard is not in the squad, with Mikel Merino also missing out.

Ethan Nwaneri is tasked with providing the creativity from midfield.

Wolves team news

13:48 , Matt Verri

Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, Doherty, Bueno, Agbadou, Ait-Nouri, Andre, J.Gomes, Sarabia, Cunha, Larsen

Subs: Johnstone, Dawson, Toti, Lima, Doyle, R.Gomes, Bellegarde, Guedes, Hwang

Arsenal team news

13:46 , Matt Verri

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Trossard, Martinelli, Havertz

Subs: Neto, Porter, Tierney, Zinchenko, Calafiori, Kiwior, Jorginho, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji

Simon Collings at Molineux

13:40 , Matt Verri

Arsenal have arrived at Molineux.

William Saliba is with the squad. Think Myles Lewis-Skelly is here, too.

Zinchenko could be on the move

13:32 , Matt Verri

Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund and could leave the club before the January transfer window closes.

Dortmund are on the hunt for a new left-back this month and they expressed an interest in Chelsea defender Renato Veiga.

The 21-year-old, however, is now set to sign for Juventus on loan and that has forced Dortmund to look elsewhere.

Zinchenko has emerged as a target and Arsenal could be tempted into letting him go if the terms of a prospective deal are right.

The 28-year-old has slipped down the pecking order at and Arsenal’s win over Dinamo Zagreb was just his fourth start of the season.

Zinchenko is into the final 18 months of his contract with Arsenal and there have been no talks over a possible extension.

Wolves stand firm on Cunha

13:24 , Matt Verri

Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is "not for sale" this month, manager Vitor Pereira has said.

The Brazilian is attracting plenty of interest during January, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham all linked.

Cunha was early this month reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with Wolves but in the last week there have been suggestions the forward is ready to explore a change of clubs. A price tag of £60million has been mooted.

But, speaking to reporters on Friday, Pereira says Cunha is committed to the cause. He said: "He’s my player. I think he’s not for sale. He’s committed to us and what we need from him.

"He’s never asked me to leave the club. He wants to help the team and be with us to try and win the game."

Stage is set!

13:17 , Matt Verri

Sun is shining over Molineux this afternoon...

Arteta backs Arsenal duo to spark title charge

13:07 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta believes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are full of confidence again and ready to spark Arsenal’s attack into life.

The pair have endured difficult seasons, but both have begun to find form over the past 10 days.

Arsenal have scored seven goals in their last three games, with Martinelli and Trossard directly involved in four of those.

Arteta said: “Normally all the front players they have moments - and they are in a high moment right now.

“They are in a good place confidence-wise, physically and they are contributing to the attacking phase in a really good way, so it’s good.

“It’s very difficult to expect the same impact from players every three days, especially with the amount of games that they have to play.”

The Gunners are chasing Liverpool in the title race and are currently six points behind the Premier League leaders, who have a game in hand.

“The margins are really, really small,” said Arteta. “You can see how things could’ve gone last weekend - the turning points are minimal and the gap certainly looks very different. We have to be at it, we have to do what is in our hands and there’s still a long, long way to go.”

Standard Sport prediction

12:59 , Matt Verri

This would have been a slightly tougher task for Arsenal a few weeks ago, but Wolves’ new manager bounce appears to have quickly ended and they are back to shipping goals for fun.

Arsenal, even without that new forward they so desperately want and need, have enough about them to punish a sloppy defence.

Arsenal to win, 2-0.

Arsenal team news

12:52 , Matt Verri

Arsenal will hope to have both William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly fit for today’s trip to face Wolves in the Premier League.

Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last two games due to a hamstring injury, while Lewis-Skelly was absent for Wednesday’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb because of a knee problem.

Mikel Arteta, however, confirmed on Friday morning that neither injury is serious and both players could even make the squad for Saturday’s game at Molineux.

If Saliba is out of action, Arteta faces a selection dilemma as to who he plays at centre-back alongside Gabriel. Jurrien Timber was deployed there against Aston Villa last weekend, but it was Jakub Kiwior who got the nod in the Champions League.

Arteta is light on options in attack, but both Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard will be pushing to start after doing well off the bench in midweek.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard

Wolves team news

12:44 , Matt Verri

Wolves could have Toti Gomes available this weekend, but Sasa Kalajdzic remains weeks away. Mario Lemina will not be involved after asking to leave the club.

Matheus Cunha will play, but Enso Gonzalez and Yerson Mosquera are out as Boubacar Traore builds up match fitness.

How to watch Wolves vs Arsenal

12:36 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5:15pm, with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10:30pm.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, with expert analysis from Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings at Molineux.

Good afternoon!

12:29 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Wolves vs Arsenal!

It’s a must-win match for the Gunners after they dropped two points to Aston Villa last weekend - there really isn’t much margin for error now.

Liverpool six points clear and they have a game in hand, so Arsenal need to put together a winning run.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 3pm GMT from Molineux!