Seeking to return back to winning ways, Arsenal travel to the Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
The Gunners earned the North London derby bragging rights last week but were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Aston Villa on Saturday. They let a 2-0 lead slip in the second half, resulting into further dropped points in the title race. This left Mikel Arteta’s side six points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who have played a game less than their immediate title challengers.
Arteta and Co. responded to their weekend’s disappointment by beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 at home in the Champions League, subsequently making it to the knockout rounds. However, the North Londoners face a tricky test at Wolves, who are 17th in the table and have lost their last three Premier League games.
Arsenal Team News
Arteta confirmed in his pre-match presser that William Saliba will miss out again for Arsenal. The defender is nursing a hamstring injury and there’s hope he could make his return in the coming weeks. He also issued an update on Myles Lewis-Skelly, who missed the Dinamo Zagreb game with a knee injury. The young left-back is touch and go for the trip to Wolves.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were boosted by the return of Ethan Nwaneri and Riccardo Calafiori against Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, although Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Gabriel Jesus all remain sidelined.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Wolves (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
David Raya has been reliable in goal for Arsenal and should start against Wolves.
Defence
In front of Raya, Arteta is set to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Jurrien Timber, who operated at right-back in midweek, should move centrally to partner Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the visitors’ defence.
Thomas Partey should act in a makeshift right-back role, trying to influence the proceedings with his passing and running power. On the other side of the defence, if Myles Lewis-Skelly is not deemed fit enough to start, Arteta could go with Riccardo Calafiori.
Midfield
Declan Rice should anchor the midfield, screening the Arsenal defence as well as building up attacks from deep. He will be joined by Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in the engine room.
The midfield troika will be looking to take control of the game as early as possible at Molineux and create openings in the final third for the forwards. Jorginho may get introduced in the second half if required.
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli has picked up some form of late. The Brazilian scored in the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League and will be hoping to do damage to Wolves off the right flank.
Leandro Trossard is expected to line up on the opposite flank, with Kai Havertz, who has scored in back-to-back games against Villa and Dinamo Zagreb respectively, leading the Arsenal attack. Young talent Ethan Nwaneri should get a chance to influence the game off the bench.
