Arsenal have to blunt the appetite of Wolves. Arsenal have a crucial match away against Wolves at Molineux tonight. After their failure to take advantage of their rivals misfortune by being beaten against Crystal Palace 3-2, this outcome could determine whether the gunners claim 4th position in the league at the end of the season.
? Molineux
We're in the place ?#WOLARS pic.twitter.com/tN8dUV3hC8
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 24, 2019
There’s no room for error as the season winds down, the games get fewer and the points become more important. Unai Emery’s attempt to rotate a shallow squad ended in failure against Palace and it’s clear that Arsenal need to buy to replenish, not only the first team but also the available choices from the bench.
Yes, injuries have been a factor but there is a lack of genuine quality and it may take at least two transfer windows to resolve.The other factor in the Palace defeat was the poor defending of Shkodran Mustafi, who had a hand in all three goals and as a result of Sokratis being available after a two match suspension, he’ll surely find himself on the bench.
I don’t think Emery can afford to jiggle his side or formation too much but the absence of Aaron Ramsey at this stage of the season is ironically important. Having that type of available option would have helped the cause in terms of physicality and attacking ability.
“Our fans are very important and we can feel stronger with them… now we need to be together, with a bit spirit for a big challenge”
To everyone travelling to @Wolves tonight, we thank you for your brilliant support – together, let's make sure we get the right result ?#WOLARS pic.twitter.com/6PEXFhPxMQ
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) April 24, 2019
Wolves will be looking to heap more misery on the Gunners and gather the points for the sake of it. There are no targets left, premier league survival is assured, they are out of the FA cup and are currently 19 points off a top four finish. It’s now about pride and performance with Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo demanding they finish on a high in preparation for next season.
Wolves won’t be there for the taking and they have class and quality to make a dysfunctional Arsenal pay if they lose concentration. Raul Jiménez has 16 goals and 7 assists.Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota have 15 goals between them and a combined 13 assists for Wolves. Then there’s the sophistication and creativity of Ruben Neves and the defensive guile of Conor Coady, who it has been said was an Arsenal target.
The last six games in the head to head have included six defeats and two draws going back to April 2010.
Wolves are unbeaten in their most recent nine home matches in all competitions, winning seven of them, so Arsenal will have to make and take their chances, which puts pressure on Lacazette and Aubameyang.
0 – Wolves have never beaten Arsenal in the Premier League in nine previous attempts (D2 L7), the most they have faced an opponent in the competition without victory. Hardship. #WOLARS pic.twitter.com/AXsFFxAtW4
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 24, 2019
CONFIRMED LINEUPS AGAINST WOLVES :
GK :Leno
DEFENSE: Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal.
MIDFIELD: Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil.
FORWARD: Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Lacazette.
