Always Wolves
Always Wolves
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TEAM NEWS
Gabriel and William Saliba are again expected to be absent, while Riccardo Calafiori is suspended, and Jurrien Timber faces a late fitness test as he looks to prove his readiness. Further forward, Leandro Trossard could miss out, but Arteta has no shortage of attacking options after Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli both found the net away to Brugge when handed rare starts. Declan Rice, who missed that midweek trip through illness, is expected to return, and Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited comeback after 11 months out with an ACL injury, boosting Arsenal’s firepower.
For Wolves, Rob Edwards has been dealt a major blow with Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ruled out for six to seven weeks with a hamstring injury, while Hwang Hee-chan also remains sidelined with a calf problem, further limiting an already goal-shy attack.
ROB EDWARDS
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has suffered a hamstring injury and will be out for “six or more” weeks, while Marshall Munetsi remains sidelined with his calf injury.
Club chairman Jeff Shi held an interview on Thursday with BBC West Midlands, as fans discussed their frustrations, including the summer’s outgoings. Edwards said: “I don’t think it’s for me to agree or disagree with it [the comments from fans]. I think it’s good that the leadership, people in those positions, try to speak and try to communicate openly with the supporters and get their side of it. Some good players have left this club in recent years but it’s hard for me to comment on stuff that was pre-me.”
However, Edwards does believe his side “needs some help” in a number of areas and the club must “freshen things up” in the January transfer window.
On the 15-minute boycott held by fans at Molineux against Manchester United on Monday, he said: “I understand their frustration. It is difficult. They’ve not seen their team win for six months so I completely get it. I’m always trying to be as honest as possible so I completely understand.”
It has been one month since Edwards joined Wolves and the head coach believes there is “more pain” to come. He said: “It’s gone quite quick. I feel like there’s a lot of good work that’s gone in and it feels like we’ve got a really good understanding of the group and the lads, so that’s really positive as well.”
He continued: “But, ultimately, what we’re judged on is the results so, that’s the bit we’re really frustrated. The reality of it is that it was difficult before we came in. We can see it’s still going to be difficult going forward for a period of time so there might be more pain to come, but I’m energised by that and I’m looking forward to moving forward and trying to improve things.”
On facing Arsenal: “We’ve got to do the basics really well. We’ve got to value doing the boring and unseen bits better. When we’re in control of the game we’ve got to make sure we retain it and it doesn’t flip to the opposition. Arsenal are arguably the best at every aspect of the game. They value every part of it so if we don’t do it in this one then we don’t stand a chance.”
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Arsenal have won their last eight Premier League games against Wolves, their longest winning run against an opponent since a run of 10 against Burnley from 2010 to 2019.
Wolves have won just one of their last 14 away league games against Arsenal (D4 L9), losing the last four in a row since a 2-1 victory in November 2020.
Arsenal have scored in each of their last 35 meetings with Wolves in all competitions, since a 1-0 home loss in February 1979. In English football history, only Wrexham against Darlington have had a longer scoring streak across all competitions (49 between 1929 and 1961).
This will be the 42nd Premier League match between the top side and the bottom side, with the league leaders winning 30 of the previous 41 (D7 L4). Wolves are responsible for two of the bottom side’s four victories, beating Manchester United at Molineux in both January 2004 and February 2011.
Arsenal are looking to win five consecutive home Premier League matches for the first time since between January and April 2024. The Gunners have also won their last seven at the Emirates against teams starting the day in the bottom-three, since drawing 3-3 with Southampton in April 2023.
Though they still have the best defence in the Premier League this season with nine goals conceded, Arsenal have shipped six goals in their last five league games, double the amount they did in their first 10 this term.
Wolves remain winless in all 15 Premier League games this season, with only QPR in 2012-13 (16) and Sheffield United in 2020-21 (17) having longer runs from the start of a campaign. Meanwhile, their two points is a joint-low after 15 games in top-flight history, level with the Blades from 2020-21.
Wolves are winless in 19 Premier League games and have lost their last eight in a row. Both runs are their joint-longest in their league history, also going 19 without a win between December 1984 and April 1985, and losing eight in a row between December 1981 and February 1982.
12 of Arsenal’s first 17 Premier League goals this season had come from set piece situations (8x corner, 2x penalty, 2x free-kick). Since Viktor Gyökeres’ header at Burnley in November, the Gunners’ last 11 league goals have all been from open play.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has scored four goals in his two Premier League starts against Wolves, including a hat-trick for Chelsea at Molineux last season.
Referee: Rob Jones. Assistants: Neil Davies, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Paul Tierney. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan.
HEAD TO HEAD (ALL COMPETITIONS)
FORM GUIDE (ALL COMPETITIONS)
MATCH PREVIEW: ARSENAL V WOLVES
Pukka