Arsenal loanee Nikolaj Moller had a dramatic substitute appearance for FC Den Bosch on Friday, involving a goal, a penalty, and a red card.

Moller celebrates with FC Den Bosch
Moller celebrates with FC Den Bosch (Photo via Moller on Instagram)

Largely due to a couple of injury setbacks, Arsenal striker Nikolaj Moller has been in and out of the FC Den Bosch team this season.

The 20-year-old was named on the bench away to Roda JC on Friday night, in what was a relatively uneventful 0-0. That is, until Moller entered the fray in the final stages.

With around 15 minutes left to go, Moller came on to try and win his side the game. 10 minutes later, it looked like he’d done so.

Rising highest to meet a set-piece, Moller headed home Evangelos Patoulidis’ free-kick for 1-0. But there was further drama still to come.

In the 89th minute, Moller picked up a yellow card for aggressively interrupting an attack with a foul against the hosts.

Two minutes later, the Swedish youngster was adjudged to have committed a handball offence, with the referee awarding a penalty and a second yellow.

Just when it looked like Moller had gone from hero to zero, Wouter van der Steen stepped up with a penalty save, and Den Bosch secured the three points.

nikolaj moller
Nikolaj Moller

Speaking after the game, Moller argued that the penalty was an unfair decision.

“I did everything I could to defend our lead,” Moller said. “My arms were close to my body, and the ball hit me in the back. I was shocked when the referee blew for a penalty.”

The striker will now have to serve a suspension for the red card, but his team will be grateful to him and their goalkeeper for the three points to put them one step closer to mathematically avoiding relegation.