Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has applauded Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy ahead of their game with the West Midlands club at the Emirates tomorrow night.

The French tactician has praised McCarthy for his work at Molineux after the former Republic of Ireland boss led Wolves to promotion from the Championship.

He has then successfully kept Wolves in the Premier League for the past two seasons, an achievement which has earned Wenger's respect.

"Mick McCarthy is doing miracles at Wolves. It is great what he does for his club. I believe they play extremely good football as well," said Wenger.

He continued: "It demands special strength from the manager to fight until the last day with the uncertainty sometimes whether you will stay up.

"A manager needs to be cool-blooded, strong, resilient and Mick McCarthy has all of these qualities."

The fixture between the two sides was originally scheduled for Boxing Day but was rearranged for tomorrow (Tuesday) after proposed strikes on the London Underground.