BPL Match Preview: Wolverhampton vs Arsenal (12 April 2012)

Arsenal FC BPL match preview

Wolverhampton vs Arsenal, BPL Match 12 April 2012

Arsenal will be aiming to strengthen their hold on a Champions League spot when they take on bottom club Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday.

The Gunners are brimming with confidence after dashing Manchester City's title hopes at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Eight wins in nine games have lifted Arsene Wenger's men above Tottenham into third and victory here would give them a five-point advantage over their arch-rivals with just five matches remaining.

The picture is somewhat bleaker for the home team with Terry Connor still searching for his first win as Wolves boss.

A promising point at Newcastle in his first game in charge has been followed by six straight defeats, despite Wolves taking the lead in their last three games.

With rumours of unrest in the dressing room and anger in the stands, there are unlikely to be any home comforts for Connor's team - they have lost their last seven matches at Molineux.

And defeat here could leave Wolves as many as nine points from safety and facing near-certain relegation.

Connor could be tempted to recall Kevin Doyle after opting to start with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake against Bolton and Stoke.

But his chief concern will be finding a solution to his leaky defence.

Despite twice dropping skipper Roger Johnson, the former Birmingham man could be in line for another recall after Wolves stretched their run of games without a clean sheet to 29 in the defeat at Stoke.

Wenger will be forced to tinker with his own defence due to the suspension Laurent Koscielny picked up against Manchester City. Johan Djourou will be favourite to fill the void.

Andre Santos may also be in line for a start after replacing Kieran Gibbs in the second half on Sunday.

Arsenal could welcome back Gervinho, who missed the City win with a knock. But Abou Diaby and Francis Coquelin are major doubts due to hamstring injuries.

Long-term absentees Per Mertesacker and Jack Wilshere remain sidelined.

Possible starting XIs
Wolves: Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Bassong, Ward; Kightly, Henry, Edwards, Jarvis; Doyle, Fletcher.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Djourou, Vermaelen, A.Santos; Song, Arteta, Rosicky; Walcott, Van Persie, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Source: skysports.com