Arsenal are set for Premier League action for the first time since the international break as they take on Wolves on Thursday. It is going to be a must-win encounter for the Gunners, who endured a disastrous January that saw them getting knocked out in both the cup competitions while failing to win over the likes of Leicester City and Burnley in the league.
It has left Mikel Arteta’s team in sixth place, and with arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur breathing down their necks, anything less than three points will be unacceptable for the visitors this midweek.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup Vs Wolves
Defence
Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a doubt for Arsenal heading into this game as the Japanese international has not been pictured in training just yet. Fortunately for Arteta, though, Cedric Soares might be back in contention after recovering from his hip injury.
Cedric’s return could allow Arteta to shift new signing Ben White back to his favourite central defensive role. The Englishman is hoping to renew his partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of the four-man backline.
Elsewhere in defence, Kieran Tierney remains a guaranteed starter at left-back, whereas Aaron Ramsdale is expected to continue in between the sticks ahead of Bernd Leno. The English international is aiming for his first Premier League clean sheet since Boxing Day.
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Midfield
In midfield, Arsenal are set to be boosted by the return of Granit Xhaka. Star player Thomas Partey is also back in contention after missing the majority of January owing to international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, even though Ghana were among the first teams to get eliminated.
Xhaka and Partey are expected to form the double-pivot at the core of Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 setup. Their combination and collective contributions in the second line of press could go a long way in helping Arsenal remain on top of a Wolves team that can be very disciplined when defending the opposition.
Attack
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving the club in January, Alexandre Lacazette remains the only reliable option in the goalscoring department for Mikel Arteta.
The Frenchman is likely to be partnered by the young creative trifecta, consisting of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. The talented Emile Smith Rowe remains an option for Arteta in the final third, while Eddie Nketiah is a potential alternative for Lacazette in the number nine role.
