Riccardo Calafiori: I have to focus on easier goals | OneFootball

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Riccardo Calafiori joked about his knack for scoring spectacular goals after his stunning strike sealed Arsenal’s win over Wolves, vowing to “focus on even easier goals.”

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal demonstrated their title credentials with a gritty 1-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, keeping the pressure on league leaders Liverpool.

The match, however, will likely be remembered as much for its controversy as for its result, as Myles Lewis-Skelly saw red for what nearly everybody considered a routine yellow-card challenge. The contentious decision, upheld by VAR, enraged Arsenal fans, as Michael Oliver sent off the eighth Arsenal player of his career.

Down to 10 men before halftime, Mikel Arteta’s side displayed remarkable resolve, refusing to buckle under pressure. The turning point came in the second half when Wolves’ Joao Gomes was sent off after a reckless challenge, restoring numerical parity. With the match hanging in the balance, Riccardo Calafiori seized the moment, expertly guiding home a spectacular left-footed strike to secure all three points for the Gunners.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

“It is very important to have won this game, but it is even more important to win the next one,” said Calafiori, whose only previous goal for Arsenal was a long-range stunner against Manchester City.

Reflecting on his tendency to score great goals, he joked, “I smiled with my teammates because it seems that I can only score goals of this type. I have to focus on even easier goals.”

Wolves had their chances to salvage a result, but a series of poor finishes and key saves from David Raya in the Arsenal goal ensured the visitors held on.

The victory keeps Arsenal six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, as they continue their pursuit of their first Premier League title since 2004.