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Arsenal team news against Wolves | Getty Images/ Canva
Arsenal resume their title push with a home clash against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arsenal are back in Premier League action this Saturday and looking for a win as they face off against Premier League basement boys Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are searching for their first victory in two league matches after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with London rivals Chelsea and more recently a costly 2-1 away defeat to high-flying Aston Villa, who are currently on their best winning streak since 1915.
Arsenal remain at the summit despite these results, but are now only two points clear of a Manchester City side that are renowned for hitting their stride after Christmas if recent history is anything to go by. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta and his team know that they need a consistent run of wins if they are avoid falling short in this year’s title race after three consecutive seasons of settling for silver.
The leaders have largely cleaned up their act on the disciplinary front this season - they sit top of the Premier League fair play table - but are still without Riccardo Calafiori for this one as the Italian serves a one-game suspension. However, when it comes to injuries, there’s a lot more challenges for Arteta to overcome ahead of a season-defining run of matches, with both Gabriel and William Saliba having a period on the sidelines.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Wolves: goalkeeper and defence
GK: David Raya: The Spanish international has started every league and European game this season and is expected to feature between the post as he targets a 14th clean sheet across all competitions.
RB: Ben White: The 28-year-old has regained his spot in the first team after a period on the subs bench and will hope to stay there. White was outstanding for Arsenal in the 2023/24 campaign and will hope to hit similar standards now he’s back in the lineup.
CB: Jurrien Timber: The Netherlands international could return despite missing the Champions League match against Club Brugge. He normally plays right-back but has drifted into the centre to help the team during an injury crisis.
CB: Piero Hincapie: Former Bundesliga title winner Hincapie steps into central defence to play alongside Timber. He’ll hope to prove his quality during this period amid injuries to Gabriel, William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly: England international Lewis-Skelly gets a big chance to shine at left-back in Calafiori’s absence. He’s struggled for minutes this season and will hope to prove he has the qualities to represent the Three Lions in North America over the summer.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Wolves: midfield and attack
CM: Martin Odegaard: Club captain Odegaard is expected to feature in central midfield for Arsenal. He’s had a tough season marred by injuries so far, but remains one of the best playmakers in the division when he’s on form.
CM: Declan Rice: The man that makes everything tick, Rice is expected to return to the starting lineup in a must-win Premier League encounter for the title favourites.
CM: Martin Zubimendi: Spanish international Zubimendi is expected to start in the heart of the Arsenal midfield. He’s been a stellar addition since his summer move and has adapted excellently to the demands of English football.
RW: Bukayo Saka: England international Saka is expected to start on the right-wing. He’s a key source of goals and assists, and is one of the most dangerous players in the league when in full flow.
ST: Viktor Gyokeres: He’s not quite hit his stride yet since returning from injury, but Swedish forward Gyokeres has a golden opportunity to get among the goals against a struggling Wolves defence that’s been leaking goals left, right and centre in recent weeks.
LW: Noni Madueke: England international Madueke has an excellent track record against Wolves after scoring a hat-trick against them last season. That gives him the edge over Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli for this particular contest.
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