Arsenal Set to Battle Wolves: Key Matchups, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

The Premier League leaders host the bottom-placed team on Saturday night as Arsenal welcome winless Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

The North Londoners couldn't have hoped for a better fixture to bounce back from their heartbreaking last-minute loss to Aston Villa last weekend, having already delivered an impressive response in their midweek European encounter. Spectacular goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli propelled Arsenal to a commanding 3–0 triumph over Club Brugge, preserving their flawless Champions League campaign.

However, their Premier League advantage has been reduced to merely two points, making a victory against the Old Gold absolutely essential. All factors favor Arsenal going into this weekend's encounter, including their historical dominance. The Gunners have secured victory in their previous eight encounters with Wolves.

Rob Edwards's squad appears unlikely to produce a historic Premier League upset, having collected only two points so far this season. They've suffered defeat in their last nine fixtures across all competitions and find themselves dangerously isolated from safety, trailing 17th-placed Nottingham Forest by 13 points.

The Midlands club is dangerously close to an unwanted Premier League milestone, with Sheffield United's 17-game winless streak to begin a campaign being the current record they're desperately trying to avoid matching.

Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive preview of the fixture.

What Time Does Arsenal vs. Wolves Kick Off?

Arsenal vs. Wolves Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

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How to Watch Arsenal vs. Wolves on TV, Live Stream

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta remained evasive regarding potential returns for the uncertain quartet of William Saliba, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Jurriën Timber. True to form, the Arsenal boss declined to confirm their inclusion in or exclusion from Saturday's matchday roster.

Saliba has been unavailable since the Bayern Munich victory and represents a significant loss with Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera already on the injury list. Riccardo Calafiori will also be unavailable in defense against Wolves due to suspension after collecting five yellow cards in Premier League action.

Rice was absent from the midweek traveling squad due to illness, indicating he should be available for Saturday, while Timber was ruled out with an undisclosed injury. Trossard is dealing with a calf problem picked up in the Villa match.

Kai Havertz and Max Dowman remain injured in attack, though Gabriel Jesus returned to action after nearly a year on the sidelines during the Club Brugge encounter.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Wolves (4-3-3): Raya; White, Timber, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyökeres, Eze.

Wolves Team News

Edwards will be missing five players against the table-toppers, including Monday evening's scorer in the 4–1 loss to Manchester United, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. The Haiti international faces at least six weeks on the sidelines.

He joins Daniel Bentley, Leon Chiwome, Rodrigo Gomes and Marshall Munetsi in the treatment room, though Wolves will welcome back João Gomes to midfield after serving his one-game ban.

The Brazilian midfielder will return directly to the starting eleven and Fer López appears set to step in for the injured Bellegarde.

Wolves Predicted Lineup vs. Arsenal

Wolves predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (3-4-2-1): Johnstone; Krejči, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, André, J. Gomes, Møller Woilfe; Arias, López; Strand Larsen.

Arsenal vs. Wolves Score Prediction

This encounter should be as straightforward as they come.

Despite some recent setbacks, Arsenal continue to be the benchmark in the Premier League and European competition, with another victory virtually certain on Saturday. The rotation used midweek will enable some rested players to return to the lineup and exploit the division's most porous defense.

In contrast, the Gunners boast the league's strongest defensive record, conceding only nine goals in 15 fixtures, and face a Wolves side that has managed just eight goals. The Old Gold will be pleased with any effort on target, never mind an unlikely goal.

Prediction: Arsenal 3–0 Wolves