Arsenal-Wolverhampton Preview

Nov 5, 2009 - 5:30 PM CHRIS TUPLING STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his young team is on the verge of something special as they prepare to face newly-promoted Wolverhampton at Molineux.

Wenger praised his squad for the way they demolished AZ Alkmaar 4-1 in the Champions League and then looked ahead at what they might achieve.

Wenger said: "This team can go from strength to strength. Let us keep this attitude and the spirit and we can deliver something special."

The facts support Wenger because Arsenal have collected 16 Premier League points from 18 and are unbeaten in their last 12 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal have won their last eight encounters with Wolves and in Wenger's view are playing as well as at any time in the last three years.

Wenger expects to continue with Kieran Gibbs at left back but Wolves will be in no mood to make it easy for the Gunners.

Wolves have gained confidence from successive draws against Everton, Aston Villa and Stoke and fancy their chances of disturbing Arsenal's smooth approach system.

Defender George Elokobi said Wolves would not be in awe of their illustrious opponents.

Elokobi, who scored an own goal in the 2-2 draw with Stoke, said: "We respect all the teams in the Premier League.

"Our last three games have given us a positive feeling and we have gained confidence from what we have done.

"I watched Arsenal. They are a very exciting team who like to pass the ball around and move quickly. They are different from other teams."

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy will keep his strikers guessing as to which of them will be left out.

Chris Iwelumo fears it will be him. He said: "I think Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are the front-runners at the moment.

"They have done well and I thought they were fantastic against Aston Villa and although I played against Stoke I would not be surprised if I was left out.

"The manager does not want it to be easy for anyone to keep their places so it is up to me, Andy Keogh and Stefan Maierhofer to step up.

"I am looking to stay in the team and now I am in there I want to get the best out of myself."

Ebanks-Blake got his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot as Wolves came from behind to earn a draw against Villa.

Manager McCarthy said: "It is a good position to be in with plenty of players pressing for their chance but it is up to them to keep impressing me in training and in reserve matches.

"No one said the Premier League was going to be easy and it certainly has not been. But we have gained confidence from our last three draws and I think we are progressing.

"Playing against Arsenal will show us what we need to do to compete at this level but I think we are up to the challenge."