Preview: Wolves v Arsenal | Pre-Match Report | News
After progressing in the FA Cup, the team returns to the Premier League and travels to Molineux to face Wolves on Wednesday February 18 at 8pm (UK time).
We head to Wolves four points clear at the top of the Premier League table, aiming to extend that margin ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.
As we prepare to travel north, here’s everything you need to know about the competition.
wolf fights
It took Wolves 20 Premier League matches to record their first win of the season, a 3-0 win over West Ham last month.
The win was part of a four-match unbeaten run before a three-match losing streak was ended by a resolute 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest.
Rob Edwards also guided his side to the last 16 of the FA Cup, a run which proved positive in a difficult campaign.
What leaders say
Mikel Arteta: “I think understanding the difficulty of the match is always present in any Premier League game, but when you get to the latter stages of the season you know the importance of each victory and what you have to do. I feel the team is in a very good emotional state, they are really looking forward to playing tomorrow and this is why. Play with that energy, that confidence and I’m sure we will continue to do what we have been doing.”
Read everything about Mikel’s pre-match press conference below!
Learn more
Every word from Arteta’s pre-Wolves presser
Rob Edwards: “There is pressure on us because we want to have very good standards. We want to keep improving and building, but of course there is a different pressure on them and expectations for them as well. They will feel that and we have to make sure we are in the game to make them feel that later as well.”
Team News
William Saliba returned to the lineup 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 missed Sunday’s warm-up but recovered and trained ahead of the trip to Molineux.
As for our visitors, Toti Gomes and Hee-Chan Hwang are missing from Wolves due to injury. As for the rest of the squad, Rob Edwards admitted there were some heavy legs after their FA Cup win at Grimsby, with a decision on several players to be made before the clash.
Talking about tactics
Adrian Clarke gave his analysis ahead of our trip to Molineux: “Wolves are very likely to deploy a 3-5-2 against us at Molineux. This is the manager’s preferred formation, and although Rob Edwards has adopted a four-man system against Chelsea, it is unusual to see him deviate from it.
“Defensively, they are relatively solid. Four teams have worse goals allowed totals – and three have faced more shots – so their back five are well organized despite their precarious league position. Keeping two clean sheets in a row in all competitions will also give them confidence.
“Angel Gomes is a new face arriving in January, and the diminutive England international has added a calming presence to central midfield. Technically strong, he is clean and tidy in this crowded area of ​​the pitch.
“Alongside him, teenager Matheus Mane is arguably Wolves’ most dangerous player. Coming out of midfield, he uses his speed and skills to good effect. Capable of superb shots from distance, the 18-year-old scored against West Ham United and Everton, and provided an assist in our narrow 2-1 win over the Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
“Wolves are hostile off the ball. As a result of this aggression, they win a lot of tackles, but also commit a lot of fouls; in fact, they have committed 40 more than the nearest Premier League team.”
Facts and statistics
We have won nine of their 11 away games in the Premier League against Wolves (L2), our highest win rate against any team we have faced more than 10 times on the road (82%).
We have scored in each of our last 36 meetings with Wolves in all competitions. In the history of competitive English football, only Wrexham have had a longer goal streak against an opponent (49 against Darlington between 1929 and 1961).
Both of our goals in their 2-1 win over Wolves in the reverse fixture were own goals. Only three teams have benefited from three own goals against an opponent in a single Premier League campaign: Charlton v Sunderland in 2002/03, us v Southampton in 2012/13 and Southampton v Sunderland in 2014/15.
We have won our last 14 Premier League matches against teams from the relegation zone by an aggregate score of 40-4. This is the longest winning streak against teams ranked in the bottom three (or bottom four in 1994-95) in the history of the competition.
We have won our eight matches played on a Wednesday, in all competitions, this season. The last time a Premier League team had a better win rate of 100% on a specific day in a season was at Man City in 2020/21 (won 15/15 on Wednesday).
Since completing the double against 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 against 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 assistants. Craig Pawson is in fourth official position.
At Stockley Park, Michael Salisbury is the video assistant referee. Craig Taylor is his assistant.
Arbitrator: Paul Tierney
Assistants: Richard West, Mark Scholes
Fourth official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Michael Salisbury
VAR Assistant: Craig Taylor.
the last time
There was a lot of drama in the reverse match earlier this season. A Sam Johnstone own goal put us on course for victory before Tolu Arokodure headed in a dramatic late equalizer.
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 received a red card, we battled back to a 1-0 victory thanks to a 74th minute goal from Riccardo Calafiori.
Live coverage
The best way to follow our trip to the Midlands is on Arsenal.com, where we’ll have live commentary on the showdown with Molinuex.
To find out how to watch the game wherever you are, click the article below to learn more!
Learn more
How to watch Wolves vs Arsenal live on TV
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