Arsenal scored twice at Molineux in November. Wolves scored three, but two were in the wrong net. Good job, Wolves. Pic after Fabregas's goal via Guardian.
Emirates Stadium, London
Saturday, April 3
15:00 BST, 10:00 a.m. EDT
- Referee: Andre Marriner
- This Match, Last Time: Arsenal 3 - 0 Wolves (December 26, 2003)
- All-Time in All Competitions: 53 Arsenal wins, 29 Wolves wins, 25 draws
- Arsenal's Recent Form: W-W-W-W-W-D
- Wolves' Recent Form: L-L-W-D-W-D
Predicted Line-Up
guesses italicized
Almunia
Sagna - Campbell - Vermaelen - Clichy
Nasri - Song - Diaby
Rosicky - Bendtner - Walcott
Subs from: Fabianski, Silvestre, Traore, Eboue, Denilson, Vela, Eduardo
Out: Arshavin (calf), Fabregas (leg), Gallas (calf), Ramsey (leg), Gibbs (foot), Van Persie (ankle), Djourou (knee)
Arsenal News and Notes
- In addition to Arsenal's already existing long-term injury list, three more players were knocked out thanks to Wednesday's Champions League tie with Barcelona...
- William Gallas returned from his calf injury, only to leave on a stretcher in the first half. Andrei Arshavin limped off with a serious calf injury himself. Gallas is done for the year, or five weeks at best. Arshavin should be back to play Manchester City on the 24th, so he'll miss this, Barcelona, Spurs, Wigan, and the first leg of the semifinals should Arsenal advance.
- As for Cesc Fabregas, his fibula is cracked, leaving him out for six weeks, which is the rest of at least the domestic season. Based on that timetable, the only way we see Fabregas again this year is if Arsenal makes the Champions League Final on May 22.
- Gael Clichy (back) and Denilson (groin) both passed their fitness tests and should be available.
- Without Fabregas, the pressure falls on Samir Nasri to be in the midfield playmaker role. What this means for the rest of the line-up is an interesting question, especially since Arshavin is out too; both normally play the forward wings. This could mean Wenger will use a 4-5-1 with Bendtner as a lone striker instead of a 4-3-3.
- Wolves, last year's winners of the Football League Championship, have been in danger of being sent back down for much of the season. Their recent run of form have pulled them up to 14th place on 32 points. They are currently five points above the drop zone.
- Wolves have gone four games unbeaten (two wins and two draws), their longest such run of the season, and their longest unbeaten streak in England's top flight since the end of 2004, at a time when their last place finish and relegation was practically certain.
- Wolves have only beaten one team that is currently sitting higher than 12th place in the table. Hilariously, they beat Tottenham Hotspur twice by 1-0 scorelines.
- Wolves are fairly injury free with their only long term absentee being Michael Kightly, who has been receiving treatment for a tendon problem in his knee in Barcelona.
Match Facts
- Wolves won 8 of their 46 visits to Highbury in all-time League play. It's their first trip to the Emirates.
- Wolves have not beaten Arsenal in any competition since a 3-2 win at Highbury on September 29, 1979. They have lost 13 and drawn twice against the Gunners since.
- On their last trip to Highbury, Wolves lost 3-0 on Boxing Day 2003. Jody Craddock scored an own goal for Wolves that day. He scored another own goal against Arsenal back in November.
- The referee is Andre Marriner, who worked Arsenal 3-0 loss at home to Chelsea in November and their 2-1 win at Hull last month. For Wolves, he has worked their road losses to Liverpool and Bolton.
- Saturday: Manchester United v. Chelsea; Old Trafford, Manchester
- Saturday: Bolton v. Aston Villa; Reebok Stadium, Bolton
- Saturday: Portsmouth v. Blackburn; Fratton Park, Portsmouth
- Saturday: Stoke v. Hull; Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
- Saturday: Sunderland v. Tottenham; Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Saturday: Burnley v. Manchester City; Turf Moor, Burnley
- Sunday: Birmingham v. Liverpool; St. Andrew's, Birmingham
- Sunday: Fulham v. Wigan; Craven Cottage, London
- Sunday: Everton v. West Ham; Goodison Park, Liverpool
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