Preview: Wolves v Arsenal

After progressing in the FA Cup, attentons turn back to the Premier League and a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves on Wednesday, February 18 at 8pm (UK time).

We head to Wolves with a four point lead at the top of the Premier League table, aiming to extend that margin ahead of the north London derby on Sunday.

As we prepare to travel north, here's everything you need to know about the contest.

wolves fighting

It took Wolves 20 Premier League matches to register their first win of the season, a 3-0 victory over West Ham last month.

That victory was part of a four-match unbeaten run before a three-game losing streak was snapped by a resolute 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Rob Edwards has also guided his side into the last 16 of the FA Cup, a run which has offered positives in a difficult campaign.

What the managers say

Mikel Arteta: "I think understanding the difficulty of the match is always there in any game in the Premier League but when you come to the last stages of the season you know the importance of every win and what you have to do. I sense the team is in a really good emotional state, really looking forward to playing tomorrow and that's why. Play with that energy, that confidence and I'm sure we'll continue to do what we've done."

Read everything from Mikel's pre-match press conference below!

Rob Edwards: "There's pressure on us because we want to have really good standards. We want to keep improving and building, but of course there's pressure in a different way on them and an expectation for them as well. They'll be feeling that and we've got to make sure that we're in the game to make them feel that later on as well."

Team news

William Saliba returned to the line-up in the FA Cup win over Wigan after missing our trip to Brentford. Martin Odegaard missed the home clash against the Latics after picking up an injury against the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Elsewhere, Riccardo Calafiori did not make it through the warm-up on Sunday, but he has recovered and trained ahead of the trip to Molineux.

As for our visitors, Toti Gomes and Hee-Chan Hwang are sidelined for Wolves through injury. As for the rest of the squad, Rob Edwards admited there were heavy legs following their FA Cup win at Grimsby, with a decision on several players to be made ahead of the clash.

Talking tactics

Adrian Clarke gave his analysis ahead of our trip to Molineux: “Wolves are highly likely to deploy a 3-5-2 against us at Molineux. It is the manager’s preferred formation, and although Rob Edwards did adopt a back four against Chelsea, it is unusual to see him deviate away from it.

“Defensively, they are relatively solid. Four teams have a worse expected goals against tally – and three have faced more shots – so their back five is well organised despite their precarious league position. Keeping two clean sheets in a row in all competitions, will also give them belief.

“Angel Gomes is a new face who arrived in January, and the diminutive England international has added a calming presence in central midfield. Technically strong, he is neat and tidy in that crowded area of the pitch.

“Alongside him, teenager Matheus Mane is arguably Wolves’ most dangerous player. Breaking forward from midfield, he uses his speed and skill to good effect. Capable of striking shots beautifully from distance, the 18-year-old scored against West Ham United and Everton, and provided an assist in our narrow 2-1 success against Wanderers at Emirates Stadium.

“Wolves are hostile off the ball. As a by-product of that aggression, they win a lot of tackles, but also make plenty of fouls; in fact they have committed 40 more of them than the next closest top-flight side."

Facts and stats

We’ve won nine of their 11 Premier League away games against Wolves (L2), our highest win rate against any side we’ve faced 10+ times on the road (82%).

We have scored in each of our last 36 meetings with Wolves in all competitions. In competitive English football history, only Wrexham have had a longer scoring streak against an opponent (49 vs Darlington between 1929 and 1961).

Both of our goals in their 2-1 win against Wolves in the reverse fixture were own goals. Only three sides have benefitted from three own goals against an opponent in a single Premier League campaign – Charlton against Sunderland in 2002/03, us against Southampton in 2012/13 and Southampton against Sunderland in 2014/15.

We have won our last 14 Premier League matches against teams in the relegation zone by an aggregate score of 40-4. It’s the longest winning run against sides in the bottom three (or bottom four in 1994-95) in the competition’s history.

We have won all eight of our games played on a Wednesday in all competitions this season. The last time a Premier League team had a better 100% win rate on a specific day over the course of a season was Man City in 2020/21 (won 15/15 on Wednesdays).

Since doing the double over us in 2020-21, Wolves have now lost each of their last nine against the Gunners in the Premier League.

Match officials

Paul Tierney will be the referee for our trip to Molineux. Tierney officiated our trip to Wolves in April 2024, when goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard gave us a 2-0 victory.

He will be supported by Richard West and Mark Scholes as his assistants. Craig Pawson is on fourth official duty.

Over in Stockley Park, Michael Salisbury is the Video Assistant Referee. Craig Taylor is his assistant.

Referee: Paul Tierney

Assistants: Richard West, Mark Scholes

Fourth official: Craig Pawson

VAR: Michael Salisbury

Assistant VAR: Craig Taylor.

last time out

There was high drama in the reverse fixture earlier this season. A Sam Johnstone own goal put us on course for victory before Tolu Arokodure headed in a dramatic late equaliser.

But there was still time for a winner as Yerson Mosquera headed Bukayo Saka's cross into the net to give us all three points.

There was also drama on our last visit to Molineux. After Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card, we battled to a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Riccardo Calafiori strike on 74 minutes.

Live coverage

The best way to keep up with our trip to the Midlands is on Arsenal.com, where we will have live commentary of the Molinuex showdown.

To find out how to watch the match, wherever you are, click on the article below to find out more!

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