Wolves vs Arsenal Prediction: Struggling Hosts Face Title-Chasing Gunners at Molineux

Match Details:

• Competition: Premier League (Matchday 26)
• Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
• Kick-off: 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 21:00 CET)
• Venue: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, England
• TV Coverage: Sky Sports (UK) / Peacock (USA)

Match Context: This fixture was rescheduled from Saturday, March 21 after Arsenal's 4-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea secured their place in the Carabao Cup final on March 22 at Wembley against Manchester City or Newcastle.

Current Form Analysis

Arsenal: Nine Points Clear and Marching Toward Title Glory

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League with 59 points from 26 matches (18 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses), holding a commanding nine-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City. The Gunners are firmly on track to end their 22-year Premier League title drought, with manager Mikel Arteta's side showing the consistency of potential champions.

Current Premier League Standing:

• Position: 1st place
• Points: 59 from 26 matches
• Record: 18-5-3
• Goals Scored: 51
• Goals Conceded: 17
• Goal Difference: +34

Recent Results:

• February 12: Brentford 0-2 Arsenal - Clinical away victory
• February 7: Arsenal 3-0 Sunderland - Gyokeres brace extends lead
• Three consecutive clean sheets
• Carabao Cup Semi-Final: Beat Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate

The Fixture Congestion Challenge:

This match comes just four days before the North London Derby at Tottenham on Sunday, February 22 at 4:30pm - a crucial stretch where Arteta must carefully manage his squad.

Key Injury News:

• Bukayo Saka - OUT (injury confirmed by Alan Shearer)
• Martin Ødegaard - OUT (injury confirmed by Alan Shearer)
• Riccardo Calafiori - Fitness monitored
• Cristhian Mosquera - Fitness monitored

Viktor Gyokeres' Resurgence:

The £87 million Swedish striker has finally found his rhythm, scoring 6 goals in 2026 - more than any other Premier League player across all competitions this calendar year.

Gyokeres Stats:

• 13 goals all competitions
• 6 goals in 2026 (Premier League's most productive)
• Brace vs Sunderland (February 7)
• 4 goals in last 4 matches

Squad Depth Advantage:

Arsenal have scored 9 goals via substitutes - more than any other Premier League team, demonstrating their exceptional depth.

Key Performers:

• Viktor Gyokeres - 13 goals all competitions, red-hot form
• David Raya - 14 clean sheets this season
• Gabriel Martinelli - Impact substitute provider
• Martin Zubimendi - 6 league goals from midfield

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Relegation Battle Under Rob Edwards

Wolves currently occupy the relegation zone in 18th position with just 16 points from 24 matches (3 wins, 7 draws, 14 losses). Manager Rob Edwards faces mounting pressure as the Old Gold struggle desperately for Premier League survival.

Current Premier League Standing:

• Position: 18th place (relegation zone)
• Points: 16 from 24 matches
• Record: 3-7-14
• Goals Scored: 22 (Premier League's lowest scorers)
• Goals Conceded: 44
• Goal Difference: -22

Catastrophic Injury Crisis:

Manager Rob Edwards confirmed major absences ahead of this crucial fixture:

Confirmed Out:

• Hwang Hee-chan (calf injury - "a number of weeks" out) - Top scorer sidelined
• Toti Gomes (hamstring - not training with team, 10+ games missed) - Captain unavailable
• Andre (calf problem - major doubt, "jogging outside") - Key midfielder unlikely

Edwards on Hwang: "Channy's out, it will be a few weeks. We'll rescan in a few weeks and see where he's at, it's his calf. It will be a number of weeks."

Edwards on Andre: "Andre has been outside jogging today and we'll give him as much time as possible and see where he's at."

Recent Signings:

Wolves welcomed January transfers Adam Armstrong (from Southampton) and Angel Gomes (loan) but both are still integrating into the squad.

Key Performers:

• Mateus Mané - Recent breakthrough attracting attention
• João Gomes - Midfield anchor
• Tolu Arokodare - Lone striker leading attack
• José Sá - Goalkeeper under constant pressure

Head-to-Head Record

Overall Record:

• Arsenal Wins: 13
• Wolves Wins: 3
• Draws: 3

Arsenal have dominated this fixture historically, winning 13 of the last 19 meetings.

Tactical Analysis

Wolves' Approach:

With Hwang, Toti, and potentially Andre all unavailable, Edwards must field a heavily makeshift lineup.

Expected Formation: 4-2-3-1

• José Sá in goal
• Back four: Yerson Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Ladislav Krejčí, Hugo Bueno
• Midfield: João Gomes (if fit), substitute for Andre
• Attack: Angel Gomes, Adam Armstrong, Mateus Mané
• Striker: Tolu Arokodare

Tactical Priorities:

• Ultra-defensive block absorbing pressure
• Prevent Arsenal's fluid attack
• Counter-attack through Mané's pace
• Set-pieces as primary goal avenue

Arsenal's Strategy:

Despite missing Saka and Ødegaard, Arsenal's depth allows rotation before Sunday's derby.

Expected Formation: 4-3-3

• David Raya in goal
• Back four: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber
• Midfield: Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino
• Attack: Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli

Our Prediction: Wolves 0-3 Arsenal

Arsenal's nine-point lead, Gyokeres' form (6 goals in 2026), superior squad depth, and Wolves' injury crisis (Hwang, Toti, Andre all out) suggest comprehensive away victory for title-chasing Gunners.

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