Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba are in contention to start for Arsenal against Wolves on the weekend, with Mikel Arteta given the option to rotate some players
06:00, 12 Dec 2025Updated 06:57, 12 Dec 2025
William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus are in contention for Arsenal against Wolves
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William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus are in contention for Arsenal against Wolves(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal take on Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening as they look to respond to their last Premier League outing, when they were beaten by Aston Villa. The Gunners managed to get back to winning ways in midweek as they scored three at Club Brugge.
Mikel Arteta made five changes from the team that lost last weekend, as he looked to give some players rest while others were enforced. There was worry when Jurrien Timber, who had travelled, was not included in the squad, but the hope is that he is fit to play at the weekend.
That said, Ben White has returned well to the team in recent weeks. The back four could also welcome back William Saliba, who Arteta described some time ago as having only expected to be missing for a matter of days.
Riccardo Calafiori is suspended for this game, meaning Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie will be covering the left-hand side. Marli Salmon, the 16-year-old, made his debut in Belgium, but it is unlikely he will be involved.
In midfield, Declan Rice missed the trip to Belgium due to illness, and it is hoped he has recovered from whatever affliction has taken hold by the weekend. That said, bottom side Wolves are perhaps the best opponent, touch wood, to face with issues of such ilk.
Eberechi Eze was fully rested in midweek, meaning it would make sense for him to return to play from the start in the place of Odegaard. Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke’s brilliant strikes both made a case to stay in the team; however, it's near-impossible for Bukayo Saka not to find his way back into the team.
Up top, however, is interesting as Viktor Gyokeres struggled once again, while his substitute replacement shone. Gabriel Jesus managed more touches of the ball and found himself with three good chances, which he was unfortunate not to score from.
Whether or not Arteta decides Jesus is ready to start so soon after coming back from such a long layoff after his serious knee injury will likely be the big call in attack.
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Changed Arsenal XI vs Wolves: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Zubimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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