Wolves welcome Arsenal to Molineux in a huge clash in the race for European Football qualification.
Victory would see Wolves leapfrog Arsenal into sixth whereas victory would lift Mikel Arteta’s Gunners up to fifth.
Team News
Hee-Chan Hwang is set to feature for Wolves after recovering from a hamstring injury which has sidelined him in recent weeks.
Francisco Trincao (Coronavirus) and Romain Saiss (fitness) are also set to be available for selection.
Jonny, Pedro Neto (both knee), Yerson Mosquera (hamstring) and Willy Boly (calf) remain absent.
Arsenal will welcome Nicholas Pepe back into the squad following his return from international duty for Ivory Coast.
Cedric Soares (hip), Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey (both suspension) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) could also be in contention for selection.
Mohamed Elneny meanwhile is unlikely to feature after featuring in Egypt’s team for 2022 Africa Cup of Nations Final on Sunday, in which they finished runners-up to Senegal.
Stat Attack
- Wolves have lost just one of their last six meetings against Arsenal (W3, D2, L1).
- Arsenal have lost two of their last three visits to Molineux (W1, L2).
- Wolves are yet to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal since winning 1-0 in February 1979 in the old First Division.
- Francisco Trincao has been substituted off more than any other Wolves player this season, having been benched in 11 of his 12 starts.
- Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe has converted eight of his 17 shots on target in the Premier League this season into goals.
Prediction
Wolves should be disappointed with Saturday’s FA Cup exit because they were just outplayed in attack, although a momentary defensive lapse from a free-kick proved more costly but their recent league form has been good so expect them to be up for the fight here.
Arsenal meanwhile endured an awful January with just one goal in five matches across all competitions which is a concern, especially after a wasteful display in their last outing in a goalless home draw against Burnley which they should of really won.
I am therefore expecting a tricky contest because Wolves’ defence has been their best asset lately whilst Arsenal has a stubborn attack, so it is probably a case of first goal proving vital which I can see going Wolves’ way if Arsenal start slowly.
Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Arsenal
Result: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal