Arsenal vs Wolves Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Saturday night’s Premier League action sees a classic top-versus-bottom clash, as league leaders Arsenal welcome struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal come into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge in midweek, while Wolves were left reeling from a 4-1 home defeat to Manchester United just days earlier.

Last weekend, the Gunners’ title credentials took a hit when Unai Emery’s Aston Villa handed them their first defeat in 18 matches across all competitions. In dramatic fashion, Arsenal failed to clear their lines in stoppage time, allowing Emiliano Buendia to curl in a heartbreaking winner and leaving Mikel Arteta’s side devastated.

With both Villa and Manchester City now hot on their heels, Arsenal could potentially slip to third in the table if results go against them this weekend. Despite whispers of a title collapse, such claims have been dismissed by the club.

Defensively, Arsenal have shown some vulnerability in recent weeks, conceding six goals in their last five league matches after allowing just three in their opening ten. The absence of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba has certainly been felt. However, Arteta’s side produced a solid defensive display in their midweek European outing and have won their last four Premier League home games, remaining unbeaten at the Emirates this season.

Anything other than an Arsenal victory on Saturday would be a major shock, as Rob Edwards’s Wolves are enduring a historically poor campaign. With just two points from 15 matches—an average of 0.13 per game—they are on pace to finish with only five points, which would eclipse Derby County’s infamous 11-point season in 2007-08.

Wolves suffered their ninth consecutive defeat on Monday, as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s equalizer against Manchester United proved fleeting before the Red Devils pulled away, leaving Wolves 13 points from safety. Off the pitch, fan protests against the ownership have intensified, with many supporters arriving late to matches.

There are, however, a couple of small positives for Wolves. Their only away point this season came in North London against Tottenham, and they have twice beaten the league leaders while sitting bottom of the table—defeating Manchester United in 2004 and 2011.

Still, the odds are stacked against them. Wolves have lost their last eight meetings with Arsenal, who have scored in each of their last 35 encounters with the Old Gold in all competitions. It’s little wonder visiting fans may already be bracing for another tough evening at the Emirates.

Arsenal have significantly improved their discipline this season, currently leading the Premier League fair play table. However, they will be without Riccardo Calafiori for Saturday’s match due to suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards. The Italian joins a list of expected absentees that includes Max Dowman (ankle), Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Leandro Trossard (knock), Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh), and Kai Havertz (knee). Meanwhile, Declan Rice (illness), William Saliba (knock), and Jurrien Timber (knock) are all doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

On a more positive note, Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return from an ACL injury in the win over Club Brugge, showing more attacking threat than Viktor Gyokeres, though the Swede is still likely to keep his place in the starting lineup on Saturday.

For Wolves, midfielder Joao Gomes is available again after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation. His return could see Yerson Mosquera drop out, with Ladislav Krejci moving into central defense. However, manager Rob Edwards has concerns over Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who was forced off with an unspecified injury against Manchester United. Rodrigo Gomes (groin), Marshall Munetsi (calf), Leon Chiwone (knee), and Daniel Bentley (ankle) are all ruled out.

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