Wolvesvs.Arsenal

The Gunners head to the West Midlands on the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 Champions League triumph over Dinamo Zagreb, one which has all-but guaranteed Arteta's men a place in the last 16 of Europe's elite tournament.

However, Arsenal fell off the pace yet again in the Premier League title race last weekend, blowing a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa as Liverpool - who still have a game in hand - re-established a six-point lead at the summit of the table.

Arsenal strolled to a 2-0 beating of Wolves in their first game of the Premier League season, and while Watts believes that lightning will strike twice this weekend, he can envisage a possible slip-up.

"The thing that Wolves could do with right now is Tottenham turning up!" Watts told Sports Mole. "Unfortunately, they've got the other North London club turning up this weekend. It's got that banana skin feel to it.

Arsenal 'cannot afford' slip-up in Wolves fixture

"Arsenal have not done too badly at Wolves the last few seasons. I would back them to go up there and get the win on Saturday, I'm not expecting anything other than an Arsenal win. They can't afford to do anything else. They just absolutely have to win this game.

"It's their first Premier League game outside of London since the start of December [check]. It's been a lot of local football for them to play over the last couple of months. They're going to have to get used to getting on that coach again and heading up the motorway for the first time in a long time."

Clashes with Wolves tend to be joyful affairs for Gooners, who have witnessed their side win each of their last seven Premier League matches against the Old Gold, and Arsenal are on a club-record 34-game scoring run against Saturday's hosts.

That hot streak - which began in 1979 - represents Arsenal's longest scoring sequence against a single opponent, although Arteta is still after reinforcements in attack before the January transfer window closes for business.

The Gunners are set to come face-to-face with one of their reported targets on Saturday in the shape of Matheus Cunha, who was recently lambasted by Wolves boss Vitor Pereira for perceived poor body language during Monday's 3-1 loss to Chelsea.

Will Cunha "put on a show" or 'sulk' in Arsenal game?

Cunha was initially expected to commit his future to Wolves with a new contract, but that renewal has now been plunged into doubt, and both Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are believed to be keeping a close eye on developments.

Despite Pereira's public criticism of the former Atletico Madrid man, he is expected to keep his place in the starting XI against the Gunners, and Watts is fascinated to see whether he is at the top of his game or cuts another disinterested figure.

"The Cunha thing is going to be really interesting, watching how motivated he is," Watts added. "Is he going to really want to put on a show? Is he going to be sulking a little bit? I think that Cunha watch is going to be the most interesting aspect of the game at the weekend."

Cunha has had a direct hand in 14 of Wolves' 32 Premier League goals this season - 10 of his own and four assists - but he has failed to contribute to a top-flight strike in each of his last three appearances.

The Brazilian's recent lack of output has contributed to Wolves failing to win any of their last four Premier League games, a dismal streak that leaves them only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

Written by

Ben Knapton