Arsenal will be under pressure to bounce back against Wolves in a bid to forget their Newcastle humiliation.
Gunners on comeback trail; Wolves boosted by United win
Arsenal will be under pressure to bounce back against Wolves on Saturday as they look to put their Newcastle humiliation behind them.
The Gunners' Premier League title bid took a blow last weekend when they threw away an early 4-0 lead at St James' Park to be held to a 4-4 draw, relinquishing two crucial points and missing out on a chance to further cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the table.
Fortunately for Arsene Wenger's men, top-four rivals United and Chelsea both suffered defeats, leaving the Gunners' second place spot untouched, although Manchester City crept closer with victory over West Brom.
Ahead of last Saturday the Gunners could have been forgiven for viewing a home encounter with relegation candidates Wolves as an easy three points, but that was before the Midlands side inflicted a first defeat of the season on current leaders United.
Shock
Mick McCarthy's men emerged shock 2-1 winners at Molineux to end the Red Devils' 29-match unbeaten streak, and add United's name to a list of scalps this season which already boasts Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Taking into account Wolves' habit of shocking big-name sides this season, as well as the fact Arsenal have their last-16 UEFA Champions League tie against Barcelona to think of next week, Saturday's game could prove a tough task for the Gunners.
History is on Arsenal's side, however, with Wenger's men having won their last 11 games against the Midlanders in all competitions, while they are additionally unbeaten in their last 16 meetings.
Wolves also arrive at Emirates Stadium with a miserable away record, with 10 of their last 12 away games ending in defeat.
But McCarthy's side will no doubt be buoyed by their United upset as they bid to secure the three points which could lift them out of the drop zone.
Points are just as important for Wenger's men but for very different reasons, with the Gunners aware that a maximum haul on Saturday could take them within one point of United at the top of the table.
And the north Londoners will no doubt have one eye on the lunch-time Manchester derby at Old Trafford, which may leave them with a crucial chance to gain ground on the current leaders.
Arsenal could be boosted by the return of Johan Djourou, who picked up a knee injury against Newcastle, but the centre-back is not certain to feature, while Abou Diaby is suspended.
England starlet Jack Wilshere is likely to see some involvement after impressing while on international duty in Denmark in midweek.
Defender Thomas Vermaelen is still out with an Achilles knock but Robin Van Persie, who has had flu, should be fit, while the Gunners will test Alex Song (thigh).
Denilson and Samir Nasri remain sidelined with hamstring strains while Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) and Emmanuel Frimpong (knee) are still out.
Same again
McCarthy could retain the Wolves starting XI that ended United's winning run last week.
Loan signing Jamie O'Hara made his first start in that match and is likely to retain his spot despite being replaced by Kevin Foley after an hour.
Stephen Hunt missed that game with a calf strain and could be out again, while Michael Kightly (knee) and Adlene Guedioura (leg) remain on the injured list.
Possible starting XIs:
Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Song, Walcott, Wilshere, Fabregas, Arshavin, Van Persie.
Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Henry, Milijas, Hammill, O'Hara, Jarvis, Doyle.
