Wolves v Arsenal Preview

Wolves v Arsenal, Wednesday 11th April, 7.45pm, Molineux Stadium, Premier League


Premier League Table

1. Man Utd 79pts
2. Man City 71pts
3. Arsenal 61pts
4. Spurs 59pts
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5. Newcastle 59pts
6. Chelsea 57pts
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20. Wolves 22pts


Arsenal looking to tighten grip on third place

Arsene Wenger wouldn't have got the champagne out, not yet anyway. He is far too professional for stunts like that. But he must have put the Moët & Chandon on ice following Monday's results in the Premier League. Newcastle's win against Bolton wouldn't have been welcome, but the failures of Tottenham and Chelsea would have made the Arsenal coach smile. Spurs' shock 2-1 home defeat against Norwich, and Chelsea's draw at Craven Cottage against an impressive Fulham side left the gunners in pole position for the final automatic Champions League place.

The gunners know that three points at Molineux on Wednesday evening against Wolves will leave Arsenal five points clear of Spurs and Newcastle, and seven points clear of Chelsea, with just 5 fixtures remaining.


Wolves in free fall under Connor

When Mick McCarthy was sacked by Wolves in February, everyone anticipated a well-known coach to arrive. Alan Curbishley, Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock were all linked, but none of them arrived. Instead, the task of keeping the Molineux side in the Premier League was handed to Terry Connor, who had been McCarthy's assistant prior to the Irishman's sacking, and had been with the club since 1999. But Connor, and Wolves, are struggling, badly. Connor's record as Wolves boss thus far, reads: P7 W0 D1 L6 F6 A21. Simply woeful. Wolves are bottom of the league and have won one of their last 18 league games.


Match Facts

* Wolves' current 6-match losing streak is their longest losing run in the top-flight since April 1982.

* Only Arsenal (19) have recovered more points from losing positions than Wolves (14) in the Premier League this season.

* Wolves have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team in the 2011-12 Premier League (20).

* Arsenal have won 15 and lost none of the last 18 games against Wolves in all competitions.

* The Gunners have won the last five trips to Molineux in all competitions.

* Wolves have the worst home record in the top flight picking up just 11 points so far.

* Wolves have gone 15 games at Molineux without a clean sheet in the Premier League.


Team News

Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny (suspended), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Abou Diaby (hamstring), Francis Coquelin (hamstring) and Per Mertesacker (ankle) are all unavailable. Kieran Gibbs (knock) and Gervinho (ankle) are also out, but should return for the game with Wigan on Monday.

Wolves

Jamie O'Hara, Stephen Hunt (both groin) and Jody Craddock (hamstring) are unavailable.

What is Andre Santos looking at in that picture?

GoonerJay29 wrote:What is Andre Santos looking at in that picture?

GoonerJay29 wrote:What is Andre Santos looking at in that picture?

Also, I think RvP noticed and is in the process of bagging him for it

Great work man!

I don't think this game would be easy, The stat which says Wolves have won 0 our of 9 games worry me a lot. We gave A LOT against man city so im expecting heavy legs from the players who will start again.

Rotation is key, and i hope we dont get complacent because games like these, against teams like wolves, will confirm our top 4 spot.

Early goal would be nice

Was about to mention that we gave a lot on Sunday, so it wouldn't surprise me if we didn't look quite as energetic and with Wolves being well up for it and desperate for points, that could be a defining factor in the game.

I'm a little worried about Djourou playing, since I'm not sure how he's going to play and how the back line will maintain their excellent offside trap with him in there. Hopefully he puts in a good shift.

Wolves are an awful side and I'll be very disappointed if we don't win, but I'm not expecting it to be easy or comfortable.

Vermaelen will carry Djourou

Djourou can be beast.

RAMSEY

Gibbs & Gervinho out of Wolves game. Squillaci & Park in squad. -http://t.co/M99zPq5a

We won 2-0 at Wolves last ssn.

Team: Fabianski; Sagna Djourou Squillaci Clichy; Song Wilshere; Rosicky Fabregas Arshavin; Chamakh.

Chamakh scored twice.

Great Job Sam.

This will be a hard game, all I want is the 3 points dont care how we get it. RVP must be frustrated will all the bad luck and must take it all out on the Wolves.

Going with a 3-1

RVP 2 goals and Ramsey 1, and Djourou with an own goal.

Great preview sam.

I hope Arsenal are well prepared and doesnt take this game lightely because its going to be one tough game. Kos will be missing this game which means JD will start makes me nervous.

If all goes well and we dont make silly mistakes then i think we will win it by 2-0 or 2-1.

This is the kind of game I'm hesitant to predict like QPR, just one of those games. Hope I'm wrong though

Tricky fixture.. Considering we gave it all against City tiredness may be a factor.. But i have a feeling this is a comfortable win..
Rotation to be a key.. But it will bring in Ramsey.. Lol..
Still i dont think Wenger will start Ox.. Its going to be Benayoun which is fine..
I want to start Ox in right and Walcott as sub.. Benayoun on left.. And Rosicky at centre.. Ramsey to replace him later.. Cant wait to see Santos starting.. Nice oppertunity for Djurou.. And if we have a 2-0 lead give Chamakh a run in..

we NEEED to get those 3 points especially as most of our rivals dropped points

if we can get three points that sets us up well for the Wigan at home game which is another game we should win

we need to collect as many points as possible now as we still have Stoke away and Chelsea at home

No excuse of not winning against this Wolves side even at Molineux. Park for van Persie, The Ox for Rosicky.

Wolves coach Terry Connor promises attacking approach against Arsenal tonight - http://t.co/hKNpRVTY

Samuelj29060 wrote:Wolves coach Terry Connor promises attacking approach against Arsenal tonight - http://t.co/hKNpRVTY

Yes, this mean we will rape them.

Nice job Sam as always u just should add +boss time next !8 : 45 pm u know-LOOL (im really kidding m8)......well this is a must win match even thought ..no Giboss no easy !

Great job Sam!


Obviously every match is must win if we're keeping 3rd and this looks like our easiest match from here on out on paper besides maybe Wigan. That being said I really hope we don't bottle it and I hope Djourou shows composure at the back like he did against AVilla.

I also hope RVP scores, Rooney's catching up to him (22)

if squillaci touches the pitch we'll draw or lose.