⚕️ Team news
Arsenal
The Gunners will be without long-term absentees Calum Chambers, Gabriel Martinelli, Pablo Mari and Bernd Leno. Mesut Ozil is in doubt following a back problem while Lucas Torreira is match fit.
Wolves
Nuno Espirito Santo has a fully fit squad to chose from.
⚽ Possible line-ups
Arsenal
- Mikel Arteta has switched to a three-man defence and it works so we see no reason why he would decide to revert to a four-man backline.
- Hector Bellerin will probably sit this game out following several below-par displays with Cedric Soares making his full debut for the Gunners.
- Bukayo Saka is expected to start after committing his future to the North London outfit.
- We have some serious doubts that Mikel Arteta will include Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi in the squad. Even if he does, it is unlikely they will start.
Arsenal (3-4-3): Martinez; Mustafi, David Luiz, Holding; Soares, Ceballos, Xhaka, Tierney; Pepe, Saka, Aubameyang
🧮 Stats you need to know (via BBC and Opta)
- Wolverhampton have not tasted defeat in the last eight Prem games.
- Arsenal have won 8 of their last 11 games across all competitions.
- In case Auba scores another goal, he will become the second player in the Gunners history to score 20 or more goals in consecutive PL seasons.
- Wolves have not conceded for 405 minutes.
- They are the only PL side to have won all games since the restart.
- The last time Arsenal won an away game against a team above them in the league table happened in September 2015. Since then, Arsenal have drawn 5 and lost 12 away games against teams above them.
- Arsenal and Wolves have faced each other on 115 occasions. The Gunners have won 57 times, drawing 28 games and losing 30.
🔮 Predictions
Mark Lawrenson, BBC
"Arsenal have won three in a row in the league and FA Cup but this will be a good indicator of where they are actually at because Wolves are one of the form teams in the Premier League.
"After this, the Gunners play Leicester at home and their north London rivals Tottenham away so it is going to be a testing week for them - I just don't see them making a good start, I'm afraid.
"Wolves never concede many, don't change their formation and everyone in their team knows their job. They are in a place where Arsenal would love to be."
- Lawro predicts: Wolves 2-0 Arsenal
Charlie Nicholas, Sky Sports
"This is a big game. I am stubborn enough at the best of times with Arsenal, but I have tipped Wolves to make the top four. My normal instinct is to go against the grain.
"Arsenal have strong individuals but Wolves are better collectively. Wolves are a better team than Arsenal, and Arsenal will still probably want to open up. Mikel Arteta will not want to change too much, and he will not try to stifle them.
I would have to go against Arsenal, which I do not like doing. I think Wolves will win it."
- Charlie predicts: Wolves 2-1 Arsenal
Aleksei Blokhin, Tribuna.com
"Wolves have impressed this season under Nuno Espirito Santo. They seem like a complete team with no significant weaknesses. However, it does not mean Arsenal do not stand a chance.
"In fact, being so close to the Champions League spots could make CL qualification harder for the West Midlands outfit. They are a quality team, no doubt, but who can guarantee they won't crumble when they face a larger and more historic side?
"Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta has successfully introduced three-at-the-back tactics, drawing inspiration from Antonio Conte and Max Allegri. It feels the Spaniard's cultural revolution has already started to bear some fruit.
"With a bit of luck, safe hands from Emi Martinez, a little bit of Bukayo's 'chilli' and some sorcery from Auba, I believe Arsenal will get the result they want."
- Alex predicts: Wolves 1-2 Arsenal
📜 League situation
The Gunners won't overtake Wolves in case they get three points on Saturday. However, we will get closer to Espirito Santo's side who are currently 6 points ahead of the Gunners.
The victory at Molineux will also mean we will stay above Tottenham in the table.
Form
Arsenal: WWWLL
Wolves: WWWDD
💬 Managers' quotes
- Mikel Arteta, Arsenal (via Arsenal FC):
"The manager (Nuno Espirito Santo) has created the perfect environment for the players. I think they didn't have very big expectations but with their performances and their consistency, they have gained respect from all the teams in the league.
"They compete really well, a really clear gameplan of how they want to expose their opponent, very solid defensively and with some really good talent in forward positions that can win the game at any moment. A very complicated side."
- Nuno Espirito Santo, Wolves (via Sports Mole):
"It's going to be a different game. It's a different manager with different ideas and a very talented squad. The situation will require new answers from us.
"You can see the different things, Mikel (Arteta) is trying to put his ideas across and the talent there is immense. We expect a tough challenge. It will require a lot from us.
"We are really happy with how the players have been able to prepare themselves to compete in these tough moments. We have been able to be patient and no matter what we still have to compete."
What do you expect from the Wolves clash? Do you believe the boys stand a chance against Wolverhampton? Tell us in the comments or share your thoughts and feelings ahead of the game through blogs!
