Match Preview: Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers; Premier League Match Day 33

A few months ago, no one imagined that the club would be in this position. Actually, if you go back to the first 20 minutes of the Spurs match, few probably thought that with 6 games left to play, Arsenal would be in the driver’s seat for the 15th consecutive Champion’s League qualification.

And before we get too far down the road on this – yes, I agree, we should be about winning trophies. However, in a season, where it was all bleak after and 8-2 drubbing from United, we lost 4 fullbacks for prolonged period of time, and where 32 different players started for Arsenal, I will gladly put aside my desire for silverware and settle for Champion’s League qualification.

And in today’s match, the Gunners have a chance to place some further distance between them and the of the UCL chasing pack. The Gunners venture to the Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers, a team for all intensive purposes packed it in the day Mick McCarthy was canned. To paint as bleak a  picture as possible for you – Wolves have dropped 7 straight. They for the most part look like they already acquiesced to their fate.

However, we need look no further then our recent trip to Loftus Road to know that even a reported relegation fighting team can upset the apple cart. When Arsenal ventured in to play QPR, few expected the upset that was put upon Arsenal. However, the scrappy dogs wanted it more because to them more was at stake.

It was, as we’ve discussed, a big mistake – on Arsenal’s part. An opponent no matter how bad they are should never be considered out of it. Football is a funny sport. And the Premier League (especially this year) is a funny league. Upsets are lurking every where. It’s better Arsenal ‘big up’ their foes from here on out. To them even Wolves should be considered on par with the Citys and Uniteds of the world. Arsenal have shown that this year more than any recently, they have the mental toughness. Sure, it can lapse sometimes, this time should not be one of them.

Arsenal have to put the hapless Wolves to the sword. A few weeks ago, United need to absolutely shred Wolves to close the gap on City. Not only did they do it but their constant waves of attacks helped United (who at the time needed to close down their GD with City) close the goal differential gap from a whopping 6 or 7 to 2. They did not stop. Arsenal need to do this. The saying no mercy comes to mind, no matter how sorry or bad you feel for a team. With the fight for top 4 as tight as it is, Arsenal could do themselves a big favor by winning and increasing their GD even further than the teams behind them.

Now is really the time to build some distance between us and the other UCL challengers. Arsenal have this match and one more before any of Chelsea, Newcastle or Spurs play their next league match. Should Arsenal go and get maximum points from those two fixtures (Wolves & Wigan) there would be an 8 point gap between 3rd and fourth by the 21st when all four teams will be in action again.

But I will say it again, the team can’t lose focus. The only way the above scenario occurs is if each match is treated like the biggest of the season and the players rise for the occasion.

How the Match Should Play Out:
Either on the road or at home, Arsenal have shown themselves not to be shrinking violets. I full expect this side to come at Wolves early. The real question as it has been all season is – on the road can Arsenal hold serve. We’re close to scoring 2 goals per game on the road but we’re also allowing close to 2 per game in. Wolves haven’t shown much in the way of attack and its likely we’ll see a team with 9 men behind the ball and one up top looking for the over the top outlet. In the end I think RvP will get out of his mini-goal drought and find the net on multiple times as he shreds both Bassong and Stearman.

Players to Watch:
Arsenal. Johan Djourou. With Koscielny serving a two match ban for 10 yellows, JD gets the nod. His last start was against Villa where he put a quiet (read GOOD) effort. In his natural position, JD is much more effective than he was as a make shift RB.

Wolves. Steven Fletcher. If anyone is going to score for Wolves it will be their team scoring leader.

Projected Starting XI:

Injuries and Suspensions:
Arsenal: Arsenal: Wilshere (ankle)  Frimpong (knee) Mertesacker (ankle) Gervinho (ankle) Diaby (hamstring) Coquelin (hamstring) Gibbs (groin) Koscielny (suspended -2)

Wolves: Craddock (hamstring) Hunt (groin) O’Hara (groin)

Leading Scorers:
Arsenal:  Van Persie 26

Wolves: Fletcher 10

Last Meeting (EPL):
Arsenal: 1

Wolves: 1

Goals For:
Arsenal (away): 1.8

Wolves (home): 1.2

Goals Against:
Arsenal (away): 1.8

Wolves: (home): 2.4

Last Five:
Arsenal: WLWWW

Wolves: LLLLLL

Goal Difference:
Arsenal: 22

Wolves: -36

Match Official:
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Matches 10, R2 Y27)

Broadcast Information:
US: ESPN3.com 2:45 PM EST

UK: ??????? GMT

GAMEDAY CHAT: It’s Open!!!!!!

www.youaremyarsenal.com/gamedaychat

YAMA Prediction:
Arsenal: 3

Wolves: 0

The Final Word – 

In the words of the immortal DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat. I need to rant. On Tuesday word came on three different reviews of infractions by the FA. In the first,  ruling the FA upheld the Red Card issued to QPR’s Shaun Derry for taking down Ashley Young in the box. One problem however, when you look at it – Young clearly is gearing up for the Summer Olympics diving competition. In the THIRD ruling (yes I skipped the second – for now) ruling, Branislav Ivanovic will likely be banned for 3 games for punching a Wigan player in the stomach behind the flow of action.

AND in the second and more disturbing, the FA ruled that Mario Balotelli WOUDLN’T receive a retrospective band for his studs to knee tackled on Alex Song. The reasoning we are told is that one of the match officials saw it and basically didn’t deem it a cardable offence. More on that idiot later.

The outright inconsistencies the FA does with regards to ruling on these things is downright farcical. The don’t seem to have any rhyme or reason to the decisions they made. The only decision they seem to have gotten right lately was the Suarez ban, but that was handled correctly because it was handled independently of the FA.

Someone in the FA has to know why supporters have so little faith in them. And this not an Arsenal thing. Let’s forget for a moment that had Song had his foot firmly planted, the argument on his effectiveness as a DM would’ve been over as he career would’ve been ended by a reckless and needless challenge by one idiot. However, that idiot now pales in comparison to the idiot that said it didn’t amount to a card. What’s got to happen there? Another Diaby? Eduardo? Ramsey? Whomever felt that a studs tackle on the KNEE wasn’t an instant red card needs to never be included as a referee of any type – ever again. Its fucking bush league. The simple fact Mancini thought it should’ve been reviewed and he should’ve gone tells you something.

The FA will never gain an credibility as an organization so long as it continues to make decisions that make no sense at all. Until they come down hard as a rock on this type of crap, players are going to feel they can still get away with the reckless antics that we all saw and despised from Mario Balotelli. And we are all of little faith anything will be done, even when another young promising player sits 12 to 18 months on the sideline.

Simply put the FA is joke. Too bad its not funny.

RANT OFF.

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