Preview- Arsenal v Wolves- Team news and predicted line up
Arsenal host Wolves in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as they look to build on their impressive performance over Molde last time out.
The Gunners currently sit 14th in the league with 13pts while Wolves are 10th in the table on 14 pts so it does present Arsenal with the chance to potentially move up to 7th with a win.
Team news
Arsenal
The Gunners will welcome back both Mo Elneny and Sead Kolasinac after both players tested negative for Covid-19.
Midfielder Thomas Partey is listed as doubtful as he continues to recover from his thigh injury as are Willian and David Luiz.
Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli, and Calum Chambers are all out while Nicolas Pepe will serve the first of his three-game ban.
Wolves
For Wolves, Romain Saiss has tested positive for Coivd-19 and will miss the trip to face the Gunners while Conor Coady returns in what is a welcome boost to the backline while fellow defender Jonny is out with a knee injury.
Thoughts
Arsenal will not want a repeat of the Leeds United game where they were second best for most of the contest and will look to add some creativity in final third.
Reiss Nelson is expected to start with Nicolas Pepe suspended while it remains to be seen as to whether Pierre Emerick Aubameyang gets another chance to play as the centre-forward for this one after he had his highest shot total of the year against Leeds.
Alex Lacazette was deployed in the number 10 role against Molde however after a bright start he slowly faded as the match wore on so he might have to contend with a place on the bench.
Mikel Arteta does have several options to choose from when deciding on his starting XI. Joe Willock and Emile Smith Rowe impressed mid-week while Bukayo Saka should make his return to the line-up to add a more creative spark for the Gunners.
Wolves will be a stern test for Arteta’s Arsenal. Nuno Espirito Santo has his side extremely well organised and in attack, Raul Jimenez will like his chances to add to his Premier League tally.
This match has all the makings of a 1-1 draw however with Arsenal being at home they will have to push the issue in search of their first goal from open play in the league since a 2-1 win over Sheffield United on October 4. Pressure will be on Mikel Arteta is his side put in another dour display.
Both sides need points to close the gap on the teams above them, there will be goals however with Arsenal at home they should find a way to win this one.
Predicted line up: Leno, Bellerin, Gabriel, Holding, Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Elneny, Saka, Aubameyang, Nelson
Arsenal 2-1 Wolves
