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Wolves face Arsenal on Saturday evening | Getty Images/ Canva
Wolves face Arsenal in a hugely challenging Premier League encounter
It’s top versus bottom in the Premier League this weekend as basement side Wolves make the unenviable trip to the Emirates Stadium to take on title hopefuls Arsenal in a game with lots of stake at both ends of the division.
The Old Gold have never previously gone 20 league matches without a victory, but they’ll need a drastic shift in their performance levels if they are to get anything out of this weekend’s match with the Premier League’s top ranked side, who currently find themselves in pole position to end their 22-year-wait for a top-flight title.
Arsenal have been by some distant the best team in the league since the first ball was kicked back in August while Wolves have been the polar opposite in a dismal period that supporters won’t look back at with any fondness, but football is game full of surprises and it’s worth noting that the Gunners are currently decimated by injury concerns heading into this weekend’s clash.
With that in mind, we take a look at how Wolves could setup against Arsenal in this weekend’s away visit to the Emirates Stadium as four changes are made from the team that was comfortably dispatched by Manchester United.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Arsenal - goalkeeper and defence:
GK: Sam Johnstone: Former West Brom goalkeeper Johnstone has started every league match since Edwards arrived as manager. He’s expected to be the first choice until at least the January transfer window as rumours of a move for Lazio star Christos Mandas continue to surface in the background.
RWB: Jackson Tchatchoua: Ki-Jana Hoever drops out with Tchatchoua returning to the starting lineup for his 15th appearance of the campaign. Matt Doherty was believed to be edging closer to fitness but failed to make the bench against Man Utd.
CB: Santiago Bueno: Uruguay international Bueno has struggled for first team minutes under Edwards but could be given a rare start against the leaders in an attempt to tighten the defence.
CB: Ladislav Krejcí: Czech Republic defender Krejcí has been one of Wolves’ more reliable players in recent months. He played in midfield against United but should return to play in a more familiar central defensive role.
CB: Toti Gomes: Club captain Gomes keeps his place in the heart of defence as Wolves aim for a clean sheet against Arsenal’s formidable front line.
LWB: David Møller Wolfe: Norwegian defender Wolfe gave the fans a brief moment of joy with an assist against Man Utd. It was his second of the season so far and something fans will hope to see more of as the team aim to escape relegation.
Wolves predicted lineup vs Arsenal - midfield and attack
CM: Joao Gomes: The 24-year-old is normally one of the first names on the teamsheet, but missed the Man Utd contest due to suspension. However, he’s now served his ban and should return to bring stability to the midfield.
CM: Andre: Brazilian midfielder Andre, who is one booking away from a suspension, is expected to partner Gomes against Arsenal. He’ll face a challenging task containing one of the most talented midfield set-ups in the division.
CM: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde: The Haiti international’s goal against the Red Devils was the only real moment of joy in a challenging evening for the Old Gold. That alone, should be enough to keep him in the starting line-up for the time being.
ST: Hwang Hee-can: The South Korean’s pace and desire to bomb forward could be useful on the counter attack in a match where Wolves’ are unlikely to have lots of the ball.
ST: Jorgen Strand Larsen: Despite his poor start to the campaign, Larsen remains the team’s best hope of scoring against Arsenal and is therefore likely to lead the line ahead of Tolu Arokodare, who was notably left out of Nigeria’s AFCON squad.
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