Arsenal Face Tough Choices: Rice and Saliba Decisions Could Define Wolves Clash
Arsenal encounter what appears to be their most straightforward Premier League challenge of the campaign when they welcome bottom-dwelling Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
A massive 31-point gap exists between league leaders Arsenal and their winless opponents, presenting the Gunners with an ideal chance to bounce back domestically following last weekend's loss to Aston Villa. With their advantage at the top reduced to just two points—matching Wolves' total points this season—securing three points is crucial.
Mikel Arteta faces multiple fitness concerns ahead of the match, notably involving players like Declan Rice, Jurriën Timber and William Saliba, forcing the Spanish manager to make critical decisions regarding their availability. Despite potentially missing this key trio, Arsenal possess sufficient attacking quality to exploit the league's most porous defense.
Here's how Arsenal might set up at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya—Raya has proven instrumental to Arsenal's solid defensive record this campaign and has already compiled an impressive collection of spectacular stops. He should face minimal pressure against Wolves, though.
RB: Ben White—White has secured a consistent run of appearances at right-back, showcasing both his forward-thinking approach and defensive reliability. He serves as an excellent stand-in for Timber in the back line.
CB: Jurriën Timber—The Dutch defender was repositioned to center-back against Villa, a role he frequently filled at Ajax, though he remains questionable for the weekend due to an injury that sidelined him from Wednesday's 3–0 Club Brugge victory.
CB: Piero Hincapié—Arsenal's summer addition of two more center-backs has proven wise. Hincapié has stepped up to cover for injured defenders Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel and Saliba, with only the latter having any possibility of featuring against Wolves.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly—Riccardo Calafiori will miss the Wolves encounter after accumulating his fifth league booking of the season against Villa. Lewis-Skelly will step into the Italian's role on Saturday.
CM: Martin Ødegaard—The Arsenal captain has demonstrated his playmaking abilities since recovering from injury and is set to break down a Wolves defense that has surrendered an alarming 33 goals this season.
CM: Martín Zubimendi—The Spanish midfielder contributed two assists against Club Brugge, including an excellent far-post delivery for Arsenal's second goal. He continues to make a steady impact in midfield.
CM: Declan Rice—Rice's fitness remains uncertain, but the English international is anticipated to have fully overcome his illness for the Wolves fixture. Arsenal depend heavily on his set-piece expertise and all-around midfield contributions.
RW: Bukayo Saka—Despite Noni Madueke's double in midweek against Bruges, Saka should reclaim his starting position against Wolves. He has found the net in his previous three home encounters with the Old Gold and looks ready to strike again.
ST: Viktor Gyökeres—Another disappointing performance from Gyökeres against Club Brugge sparked criticism, but the Swedish striker has reserved most of his goals for Emirates appearances this season. If he fails to score here, Mikel Merino might earn a chance leading the attack.
LW: Eberechi Eze—Eze remained on the bench throughout the midweek match and seems likely to start against Wolves despite being substituted at halftime against Villa. Only against Tottenham Hotspur (6) has the English winger netted more goals than his five strikes against Wolves.
