As weeks in football go, the past seven days for Arsenal has been nothing short of a disaster.
Approaching the home visit of Aston Villa last Sunday, the Gunners were in pole position to win their first league title since 2005.
Not only that, but Arsenal were just two steps away from a Champions League final in their own back yard of Wembley Stadium.
Cue a classic April meltdown, which for Mikel Arteta, has led to many a social media meme, not to mention the re-opening of old wounds.
Staggering into another crucial weekend from from a painful double defeat in the space of 72 hours, the North Londoners can yet resurrect their title hopes.
However, Wolves look primed to stick the knife in at Molineux.
Gunners’ woe
For a season that promised so much for Arsenal, their season threatens to collapse in all-too familiar fashion.
No strangers to suffering late-season compounded defeat, Wednesday’s single-goal loss in Munich was a hammer blow after a home loss to former boss Unai Emery.
Sent packing from the Champions League in the last eight once more, the Gunners are in desperate need of a riposte.
Sights set on bouncing back this weekend 👊 pic.twitter.com/KZfi8ixozx
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 18, 2024
Still in second spot behind Manchester City in the Premier League standings, with a healthy pinch of reality, Arsenal are just two points off the holders, boasting a better GD.
If we consider the weekend’s opposition also, the North Londoners’ record against Wolves is strong, having won all of the last five meetings.
If Arsenal bounce back this weekend, the title race is still very much on.
However, simply put, anything other than three points in the Black Country will surely end said aspirations.
Full strength
Unfortunately for the visitors they face a Wolves side buoyed by the return of key men.
Not only did Matheus Cunha net a brace against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Hwang Hee-chan could be named in the squad for Saturday.
Gary O’Neill’s men have simply not been the same when bereft of their lynchpin duo, providing not only goals, but raw pace on the flanks.
Wolves may have only netted twice versus Arsenal during the last three seasons, but both goals have come from the Korean and Brazilian.
And, in the case of Cunha, the forward was on the scoresheet when the teams met back in December.
Draw no Bet
The more eagle-eyed of top-flight fans might note that whilst Arsenal are dominant over their hosts in recent times, Molineux has caused Gunner grief in the past.
Indeed, defeats in 2019 and 2021 should leave Arteta wary.
Therefore, Wolves seem primed to strike another blow to Arsenal on Saturday.
A full 17/2 with Betfred to inflict successive league defeats on the Gunners, the more shrewd a punter might opt to go Draw no Bet, at a still very attractive 13/2 with BetVictor.
Meanwhile, we already documented Cunha’s prowess on return last time out, and a Cunha anytime goal with a £5 stake fetches just shy of £20 at 17/4 with BetUK.
Wolves host Arsenal at Molineux on Saturday evening, kick-off 19:30 BST.
