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Top-of-the-table Arsenal travel to rock-bottom Wolves hoping to return to winning ways in the Premier League this evening.
The Gunners hold a four-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City at the summit but were frustrated in a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Brentford last time out in the top flight.
Mikel Arteta’s men can take encouragement from a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Wigan in the FA Cup at the weekend, though, and will be looking to take that same ruthlessness into tonight’s clash at Molineux.
It was by no means plain sailing for Arsenal in the reverse fixture back in mid-December, with the leaders snatching a 2-1 victory deep into stoppage time thanks to a fortuitous Yerson Mosquera own goal in north London.
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But while Wolves have experienced a slight lift since Rob Edwards’ appointment in November, the club are staring down the barrel of relegation into the Championship, with nine points separating them for their nearest rivals Burnley.
Arsenal have had several injury problems to contend with ahead of the clash but Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori have both been passed fit to feature. Captain Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are unavailable for the visitors.
The hosts, meanwhile, are forced to cope without star forward Hee-Chan Hwang and central defender Toti Gomes, who are both sidelined with muscle issues.
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Follow all the action from Wednesday’s Premier League clash between top and bottom with Metro’s matchday blog below:
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February 18, 2026 9:10 pm48 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
A sluggish start to the second half with neither side able to string any passes together.
Let’s hope we get more of a spectacle in this half. Wasn’t the most thrilling opening 45 minutes, was it?
The Gunners won’t mind either way if they come away with maximum points.
February 18, 2026 9:07 pmWe’re underway again for the second half!
Here we go… can Wolves dig deep and do something special here?
February 18, 2026 9:03 pmWolves will be ‘happy’ to be in the game, says Coady
Former Wolves skipper Coady was impressed by the side’s resilience (Picture: Getty)
Conor Coady believes Rob Edwards will be delighted with his side’s resilience at the halfway stage after going behind so early on in the contest.
‘Wolves will be happy with that. They’re still in the game, it’s 1-0 and Arsenal haven’t capitalised on scoring so early,’ the ex-Wolves captain said in the Sky Sports studio.
‘I actually think that, coming towards the end of the first half, Wolves started to push forward a little bit.
‘Staying in the game against an opposition like this is huge, no matter how well you play.’
February 18, 2026 8:52 pmHALF-TIME: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
It looked like it would be an easy night’s work for Arsenal when the Premier League leaders took the lead inside five minutes through Bukayo Saka.
It still could end up that way but the title favourites failed to push on after that and basement boys Wolves even grew in confidence towards the end of the first-half, admittedly without ever really worrying the Gunners.
February 18, 2026 8:50 pm49 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Pen? Arsenal want one…
It’s Piero Hincapie who bundles over but Alan Smith doesn’t see enough contact and VAR agrees.
Play on!
February 18, 2026 8:48 pm47 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Close! And it’s Wolves!
Andre strikes one from just outside the box and it just goes wide. Replays show David Raya may have had it covered in any case, but a small scare for the Gunners.
February 18, 2026 8:46 pm44 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
It comes to nothing and Alan Smith says Mikel Arteta will ‘want to see a bit more’ from his team in the final third.
It’s been so comfortable for Arsenal but they still lead by just one goal…
Five minutes have been added on.
February 18, 2026 8:44 pm43 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal are back on the attack but they themselves have struggled to create any big chances since Saka’s early opener. They do win another corner, though…
February 18, 2026 8:42 pm41 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
I wouldn’t go as far as to say we have a game on our hands but Wolves are at least showing a bit of spirit. They still can barely manage a cross never mind a shot though.
February 18, 2026 8:40 pm39 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Wolves have failed to score in 13 Premier League games so far this season and are facing the best defence in the league.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise, therefore, that the hosts are yet to create a chance.
February 18, 2026 8:38 pm37 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal are still dominating but Wolves are at least showing some passion and it’s being appreciated by the Molineux faithful as the rain coming down appears to turn into snow.
February 18, 2026 8:37 pm35 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Wolves defender Mosquera leaves one on Martinelli and has a word with the Arsenal winger after the crunching tackle.
A pretty bold approach when you’re sitting bottom of the Premier League and facing the title favourites…
February 18, 2026 8:35 pm33 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal are biding their time but will be keen to boost their goal difference as well as clinching the win this evening.
As things stand they lead second-placed Man City by four points and have a superior goal difference by three.
February 18, 2026 8:32 pm31 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Another break in play, this time because of a Yerson Mosquera head injury.
February 18, 2026 8:30 pm29 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
As we approach the 30-minute mark, Arsenal have had over 65% possession and five shots. Wolves are yet to create anything of note, with an XG of 0.00.
February 18, 2026 8:26 pm24 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Gyokeres wins Arsenal a corner but there’s not another set-piece goal this time as Martinelli flicks Saka’s delivery over the bar.
February 18, 2026 8:23 pm22 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Another break in play and this time Gomes is forced off and replaced by Tolu Arokodare. It never rains but it pours for Wolves this season…
February 18, 2026 8:20 pm19 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Wolves enjoy their first period of pressure but it doesn’t result in a chance of any note and Arsenal are back on the ball.
February 18, 2026 8:18 pm17 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal come close again though Madueke…
Viktor Gyokeres makes a great run and the attack culminates with Madueke curling a strike that is well-saved by Sa.
‘Wolves are all over the place at the back,’ says Alan Smith on comms.
February 18, 2026 8:15 pm15 mins: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
It’s still all Arsenal and Madueke tests Sa’s hands with a looping cross. The Wolves ‘keeper is up to the task. Back come Arsenal though…
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