This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Arsène Wenger seemed almost affronted at the suggestion. The setting back of this game by 24 hours due to the latest outbreak of issues with London Underground allowed his Arsenal players the rare luxury of Christmas Day off. So the manager, presumably, could relax too? "You think about the next game, that's all," Wenger said. "On the 25th, you think Wolves. To do well against Wolves." Mick McCarthy would love a festive tonic at the Emirates but it is likely he would trade one for beating Bolton on New Year's Eve. David Hytner

Venue Emirates Stadium

Tickets £35-£50 (020 7619 5000)

Last season Arsenal 2 Wolves 0

Referee S Attwell

This season's matches 8 Y26, R2, 3.60 cards per game

Odds Arsenal 2-9 Wolves 12-1 Draw 19-4

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic

Arsenal

Subs from Almunia, Squillaci, Eastmond, Coquelin, Rosicky, Park, Frimpong, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin, Chamakh Injured Djourou (groin, 31 Dec), Fabianski (knee, 31 Dec), Sagna (leg, Jan), Gibbs (groin, Jan), Jenkinson (back, Jan), Diaby (hamstring, Jan), Wilshere (ankle, Feb)

Suspended None Form guide WLWWDW

Disciplinary record Y32 R3

Leading scorer Van Persie 16

Wolves

Subs from De Vries, Ebanks-Blake, Elokobi, Craddock, Milijas, Hammill, Edwards, Guédioura

Doubtful Craddock (hamstring), Edwards (groin)

Injured Foley (match fitness, Jan)

Suspended None

Form guide DLLWLL

Disciplinary record Y34 R0

Leading scorer Fletcher 6

Match pointers

• Arsenal have not lost a home match against Wolves since a 3-2 defeat at Highbury in September 1979

• The visitors have won none of their last seven Premier League away fixtures

• Robin van Persie needs just two more goals to equal Alan Shearer's record of Premier League goals scored in a calendar year (36)

• Jamie O'Hara has had more shots on target (27) and off target (18) than any other Wolves player this season

• Arsenal have conceded the lowest percentage of headed goals this campaign (8%)