Arsenal legend Ian Wright has called David Luiz’s red card against Wolves ‘ridiculous’ and ‘harsh’.
The Brazilian defender was sent off for a slight touch on Willian Jose as the player raced into the box.
Referee Craig Pawson gave a penalty to Wolves, allowing Ruben Neves to score from the spot.
FEATURE: One per club: Players stuck after January transfer window shut
Arsenal went down to nine men later on as Bernd Leno palmed the ball out of play, despite being out of his box.
Speaking about the Luiz red card, Wright said: “The way he’s supposedly meant to have challenged him and stopped a goalscoring opportunity when he’s round the back of him, I just can’t understand that one.
“Maybe it’s because I’m an Arsenal man but it’s very tough to take, especially how we started.
“It was a brilliant start for Arsenal. I thought this was one of those where if they could have taken a couple of those chances early on – they hit the post and hit the bar – it could have been a romp.
“But David Luiz on the halfway line, he goes in and gets caught out coming back.
“He clips him on the back, it just seems so harsh for him to get a sending off. It’s very hard to take for Arsenal fans.”
The Gunners could appeal the red card, as manager Mikel Arteta believes there was no contact.
Wright went on to say: “I’ve got so much sympathy because whether it’s intentional or not, that seems like a very harsh red card.
“He’s actually trying to get out the way, he’s trying to get back. He’s not changing his stride, he’s actually trying to slow his legs down and the rule says he stopped a goalscoring opportunity. And he’s sent off for that?! It’s ridiculous.
“The penalty is fine, I haven’t got a problem with that because he’s been impeded but it wasn’t intentional so why does he need to be sent off for that? It’s double jeopardy and he’s being punished for something that’s a total accident.”
The post Arsenal legend Wright surprised by ‘ridiculous’ Luiz red card appeared first on Football 365.