wolves vs arsenal: Arsenal can go seven clear as bottom-side Wolves host title leaders
Arsenal travel to Molineux on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, with a chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League. Kick-off is scheduled for 3: 00 PM ET as the Gunners head to face a Wolverhampton side mired in a relegation battle. The fixture brings contrasting narratives: a title challenge aiming to consolidate advantage, and a home team fighting to climb out of the drop zone.
Match snapshot — time, stakes and context
The game kicks off at 3: 00 PM ET on Feb. 18, 2026. A victory would move Arsenal seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, a significant gap with the run-in approaching. For Wolves, who are reported to be 18 points adrift of safety and sitting at the foot of the table, the match is another crucial opportunity to find momentum and avoid setting unwanted records.
The head-to-head history heavily favours Arsenal. Wolves have not beaten Arsenal in the Premier League since the 2020-21 double over the north London club and have lost each of their last nine league meetings. Arsenal have a remarkable scoring streak against Wolves, finding the net in 36 consecutive competitive fixtures between the clubs — one of the longest such runs in English football history.
Form, injuries and likely personnel
Wolves arrive with clear selection and fitness questions. Hwang Hee-Chan is sidelined with a calf injury and is set to miss the match, which opens the door for Adam Armstrong to partner Tolu Arokodare up front. Centre-back Toti Gomes remains out with a long-term hamstring issue. The home side have struggled for goals this season, failing to score in more different league games than any other team, and they have lost the bulk of their home fixtures.
Arsenal can rotate but will be careful with key figures. There is a minor fitness doubt surrounding their captain, but the wider squad has been able to manage a congested schedule thanks to squad depth. Noni Madueke has been particularly effective against Wolves historically — his four Premier League goals versus this opponent account for a significant slice of his league tally — and his recent form could earn him a start on the right wing. Bukayo Saka’s goalscoring form has dipped this season, and a match against the league’s lowest scorers represents a chance to regain confidence.
Stats, patterns and what to expect
Several trends point to an Arsenal advantage. The Gunners have been ruthless against teams in the bottom spots, winning 14 consecutive league matches against relegation-threatened opponents by an aggregate 40-4. They have also been near-perfect in midweek fixtures this season, winning every Wednesday game they have played. Wolves, conversely, have lost a high proportion of top-of-table clashes and have struggled at home, with only one home league win this campaign.
Tactically, expect Arsenal to control possession and probe for openings down the flanks, looking to exploit defensive gaps and force Wolves into uncomfortable transitions. Wolves’ best path to an upset is to press aggressively, commit forward with runners like Arokodare and Armstrong, and try to capitalize on set-piece moments or errors from the visitors. Given Arsenal’s clean-sheet record this season and Wolves’ goalscoring woes, the most likely scenario is a narrow away win, though the home side have shown the capacity for late drama in recent meetings.
Wednesday’s clash is a clear test of temperament for both teams: for Arsenal, the chance to seize control of a tight title race; for Wolves, the opportunity to prove resilience and begin the climb back from the foot of the table.
