Cole is definitely out - the second of his 3 match ban. Clichy should continue in his place, but Lauren may be ready to return. He played against West Brom the other week but wasn't risked at Bolton. Although Toure's been doing well at right-back Wenger may well feel that it's time to reunite him with Campbell in the middle. Wenger says he's not sure about Lauren but he'll definitely play at least one of the next 2 games.

Le Boss has also been explaining the absence of Phillipe Senderos. The young Swiss centreback came back from his pre-season back injury only to suffer a stress fracture in his foot. But he is back running again now and could be able to play by February. Whether he'd actually get any first-team action (with Toure a fixture and Cygan being preferred to Keown) is another question. One for next season, perhaps.

Wolves have Nathan Blake probably missing with a calf injury that's been a problem since early December. And Denis Irwin is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury (in which case former Gunner Oleg "the Moose" Luzhny will play).

Having beaten them 5-1 with an under-strength side, anything but a win in this match is going to start everyone talking about Arsenal's bubble bursting. At this rate we could go through the season unbeaten and still only come third.

Contrary to what was previously stated on the calendar, this Boxing Day clash is not on the box. But it does kick off at noon.