Arsenal entered April with a cautious sense of optimism following their stalemate against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but two weeks in and their stellar campaign is beginning to unfold.
A Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich arrived in the wake of a crushing Premier League defeat to Aston Villa which saw them relinquish their status as the division’s top dogs. Manchester City now lead the way, and they very rarely surrender such positions.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have got to go again after their midweek disappointment. Their season is on the line at Molineux, with anything less than three points potentially a fatal blow in their bid to win a first Premier League title in 20 years.
Here’s the starting XI Mikel Arteta could pick for Saturday’s game.
GK: David Raya – Arsenal’s number one hasn’t come to the rescue in recent outings, with Arsenal’s backline appearing as vulnerable as it has all season.
RB: Ben White – White had been so good in 2024, but he heads into this game off the back of tough back-to-back outings. He might be one in need of a rest.
CB: William Saliba – There were few bright sparks for the Gunners in midweek, but Saliba finally performed under the bright European lights. He’ll be key in shunning Wolves’ counter-attacks.
CB: Gabriel – Another player whose levels have dipped a little in recent games. Arsenal need their imperious Brazilian back for the final few games of the campaign.
LB: Takehiro Tomiyasu – The sturdy Japanese international doesn’t offer Oleksandr Zinchenko’s guile in possession, but it’s hard to envisage the Ukrainian playing much in Arsenal’s next games after his dire showing against Aston Villa.
CM: Thomas Partey – Partey has played a bit-part role since returning from injury, often appearing rusty in cameos. He could make his second start of the calendar year on Saturday.
CM: Declan Rice – The once dominant midfielder was a shell of himself over the two legs against Bayern Munich. He’s been excellent this season, but fatigue is catching up to him.
CM: Martin Odegaard – A relentless presser capable of producing the most dazzling sequences with the ball, you just wonder whether Odegaard’s out-of-possession output is starting to compromise his creative effort.
RW: Bukayo Saka – Poor Saka was chastised for his late-game antics in Munich. The winger is perpetually hobbling, and he could do with a rest, but Arteta doesn’t have much of a choice.
ST: Kai Havertz – The German’s ventures back into midfield failed to provide dividends, so we should see Havertz continue in the frontline on Saturday against a physical Wolves back three.
LW: Leandro Trossard – Gabriel Martinelli has really struggled to forge something off his own back since returning from a foot injury, with Arteta rotating his wide left option. It might be Trossard’s go on Saturday after Martinelli started in midweek.
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