Wolves!

“Winter is coming,” is the House motto of House Stark from HBO’s A Game of Thrones (or A Song Of Ice and Fire, if you read George R. R. Martin’s books), and as winter is now indeed upon us, I guess it is only fitting that we face Wolves this afternoon.

Hopefully, like House Stark, Wolves will have tragedy today and the Gunners can rise to victory but Mick McCarthy’s sides will be physical, stout & defensive-minded & will no doubt set out to frustrate us & “park the bus.”

I would think Wenger would possibly use a bit of squad rotation tonight with 3 matches this week but I would still guess that van Persie gets the nod tonight as he looks to break Alan Shearer’s calender year goal-scoring record.  Also, Alexandre Song is back from suspension so Emmanuel Frimpong likely drops to the bench.  As always, just a guess but here’s how I think we’ll lineup:

Szczesny; Coquelin – Koscielny – Mertesacker – Vermaelen; Benayoun – Song – Arteta; Walcott/Gervinho – van Persie – Gervinho/Arshavin

The match preview from SkySports.

Form guide (all competitions):
Arsenal: LWLWLW
Wolves: LLWLLD

Injuries:
Arsenal: Abou Diaby, J0hann Djourou, Craig Eastmond,  Lukasz Fabianski, Carl Jenkinson, Vito Mannone, Bacary Sagna, Andre Santos, Jack Wilshere
Wolves: Jody Craddock, David Edwards, Jamie O’Hara,

Referee: S. Attwell

Stone Cold Lock (Unless It Doesn’t Happen) Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Wolves

Wolves have been a pesky side in the past and likely will be again tonight but I think we have enough firepower and being at home, that we can overcome the West Midlands side.  We played well against Man €ity and were a bit unlucky not to draw and we were a bit fortunate in beating Villa but overall we’ve been in good form and with a 6 day break since our last match there shouldn’t be too many tired performances tonight despite the matches in quick succession in the coming week.

If I’d bet I bet we get goals from Walcott and van Persie.

Winter is coming, Wolves!

Come on you Gunners!