Arsenal open their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves this weekend as last season’s runners-up look to mount another title challenge.
After successive second-place finishes in the Premier League, the onus is on Arsenal to learn lessons from recent disappointments and end their long wait for the league title.
Arsenal recorded a club-record 28 wins in the Premier League but still fell short. Can the Gunners go up another level and wrestle the championship from Manchester City?
Arsenal vs Wolves – Predicted lineup and team news
Arsenal Team News
Mikel Arteta’s men were formidable defensively in 2023/24 and have added to their options with the £42m signing of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The Italy international can operate at left-back or in central defence and adds to an already well-stocked selection of defenders at the Emirates.
Calafiori’s minutes during pre-season have been limited, however, after returning from representing the Azzurri at Euro 2024 and it remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old is handed a debut against Wolves.
Arsenal have had the Premier League’s best defensive record in each of the last two campaigns and conceded a league-low 29 goals last season, with goalkeeper David Raya claiming the Golden Glove. Their powerful backline also proved to be a threat at the opposite end as Arsenal scored a league-leading 20 set-piece goals excluding penalties. William Saliba, Ben White and Gabriel combined for 10 Premier League goals.
Ready for a new season. 👊
📍 Sobha Realty Training Centre pic.twitter.com/9vXPWcSSo0
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 16, 2024
Jurrien Timber is pushing for a place in the team after an ACL injury suffered on the opening weekend of last season decimated his debut campaign in North London. Elsewhere, Oleksandr Zinchenko has looked reinvigorated at left-back as the Ukrainian full-back looks to regain his role in Arteta’s team.
Gabriel Jesus is another who has looked lively during the pre-season schedule after a disappointing 2023/24. The Brazilian was excluded from the national squad for the Copa America after netting just four times in the Premier League last season. However, he is vying with Kai Havertz to lead the line for Arsenal against Wolves this weekend.
In midfield, it looks to be a battle between Jorginho and Thomas Partey to partner Declan Rice, who should start despite his late return after reaching the Euro 2024 final with England.
Arsenal Predicted Lineup vs Wolves
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Arsenal vs Wolves kick-off time and TV channel
Arsenal face Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday 17th August. Kick-off in the clash is scheduled for 15:00 BST. The fixture will not be broadcast live to a UK audience though is available in other nations through the selected rights holders.
