Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage has, on Thursday evening, admitted that he was at fault for the drama surrounding the 2nd-half introduction of Pedro Neto during the club’s meeting with Arsenal.
Lage of course guided his side back into action a short time ago, making the trip to north London for a crunch showdown amid the battle for Europe in the Premier League.
One moment during the 2nd-half, though, saw the visitors’ efforts to change things up on the personnel front cause quite a stir.
This came as Pedro Neto waited to be introduced to proceedings, in place of, it was originally understood, Raul Jimenez.
Upon the fourth official’s board being held up on the sideline, however, confusion spread, as Jimenez refused to leave the field of play, adamant that it was Daniel Podence, and not he, who was in fact due to be hauled off.
Arsenal’s stars, in turn, began to push Wolves’ hitman towards the bench, culminating in a yellow card being flashed in Jimenez’s direction, and an altogether needless fracas being kicked into gear.
In the end, however, the Mexican actually proved correct, with Podence having been the man to make way for Neto.
Right we have playground chaos here. Jimenez won’t leave the field because he’s not actually being subbed and the wrong number has gone up (or Wolves change their mind). Arsenal try and physically drag him away. Atkinson books him. And then Podence comes off instead.
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) February 24, 2022
Speaking on the back of the action coming to a close at the Emirates, Lage was therefore inevitably drawn on the incident in question, and his take on the situation.
And, to his credit, the Portuguese was quick to accept the blame for the issues caused, admitting that it was a lack of communication between he, his staff and the officials which sparked the confusion.
Not only that, but Lage too confirmed that he apologised directly to opposite number Mikel Arteta on the touchline:
Lage on Jimenez’s weird yellow: “I wanted to put Fabio on for Raul and Leander for Podence to close the game (before Semedo injury). It was a lack of comms between me, my staff and 4th official (for wrong number on board). I said sorry to Arteta, it wasn’t wasting time.”
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) February 24, 2022
Lacazette seals comeback
Lage’s post-game comments of course come fresh on the back of a heartbreaking close to proceedings for Wolves at the Emirates.
After opening the game’s scoring inside ten minutes courtesy of Hwang Hee-chan, the visitors appeared well on course to secure a crucial three points as the evening’s exchanges passed the 80-minute mark.
Arsenal, however, evidently had other ideas.
First, Nicolas Pepe, amid a starring cameo off the bench, levelled things up with a fine swivel and finish:
Arsenal equalise! ?
A lovely turn and finish from Nicolas Pepe, and now the Gunners will search for a winner ? pic.twitter.com/L79STrcZ03
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) February 24, 2022
And there was time for further drama yet, as, with almost the last kick of the game, Alexandre Lacazette’s effort across the face of goal somehow made its way beyond Jose Sa and in at the far post to complete the turnaround:
Lacazette with the stoppage time WINNER! ??
An unbelievable finish from Arsenal at the Emirates ? pic.twitter.com/Qt1isw1UWT
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) February 24, 2022
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