Wolves’ game against Arsenal has been postponed due to a combination of injuries and COVID-19 cases in the Wolves squad, as revealed earlier by The Athletic.
The Premier League has agreed to Wolves’ request to have the match — which was due to be played on December 28 — called off.
It’s the second festive postponement for Wolves after their Boxing Day game against Watford was also called off due to a high number of COVID-19 cases in the Watford camp.
Wolves currently have a number of players sidelined with injury, including Hwang Hee-chan, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Willy Boly as well as longer-term victims Pedro Neto, Jonny Castro Otto and Yerson Mosquera.
Teenage striker Fabio Silva and Mosquera both received positive COVID-19 tests around the time of Wolves’ last game, a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on December 19, but it’s believed the squad has been hit by a number of further cases in recent days.
Wolves’ next scheduled match is against Manchester United at Old Trafford on January 3.
A Premier League statement read: “Arsenal FC’s match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium, due to be played at 12:30pm on Tuesday 28 December, has regrettably been postponed.
“The Premier League Board accepted the postponement application as Wolverhampton Wanderers does not have the required number of players available for the match (13 outfield players and one goalkeeper) as a result of a number of COVID-19 cases and injuries at the club.
“The Board was able to make its decision in advance of the fixture to give clarity to the affected clubs and their fans. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption caused to supporters’ festive plans.”
Leeds United’s game against Aston Villa, due to be played on December 28, was also postponed on Sunday due to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak at the home side while Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira was absent for his side’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur after testing positive for COVID-19.
(Photo: Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
