Wolves host Arsenal at the Molineux stadium as the Premier League title race intensifies.
Wolves managed to draw 2-2 against Nottingham Forest in the last GW. Matheus Cunha scored a brace but quick responses from Forest meant that the odds were balanced. However, Wolves haven’t been in their best form lately, being winless in their previous 4 matches. Wolves still aim for an unlikely European spot as they are 5 points off the 8th spot with a game less played.
Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the Premier League in 2024 ended when they hosted Aston Villa at home and were shocked by a 2-0 scoreline. Arsenal had a chance to sit in pole position on top of the league ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool but failed to do so. To make matters worse, in the same week followed their exit from the Champions League as Bayern Munich beat them narrowly and gained an aggregate score 3-2 to go straight to the Champions League semi finals. A week to forget for Mikel Arteta’s reds. Arsenal now sit second, trailing by 2 points to Manchester City.
The reverse fixture in December saw Arsenal comfortably win 2-1, goals from Odegaard and Saka for Arsenal and a late consolation goal from Cunha meant Arsenal take all 3 points at home.
Mikel’s Gunners will need a big response after last week’s slip up to keep their title hopes going whereas Gary O’Neil will look to spoil the party for them.
When & Where?
Date: 21st April 2024, Sunday.
Time: 19:30 HRS BST
Venue: Molineux Stadium
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Tierney.
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Mat Wilkes.
Fourth Official: Darren Bond.
VAR: John Brooks.
Assistant VAR: Wade Smith.
Team News
Pedro Neto has been recovering well from his injury but this fixture will come too soon for him. Craig Dawson and Bellegarde are both out too. Gary O’Neil confirmed that Cunha had a kick on his calf in the previous fixture and has done damage to his muscle which is why is also deemed out. Semedo, Ait Nouri and Hwang could all be playing on the bench for Wolves.
Meanwhile, for Arsenal, all their players have been fit and have no new fresh injury concerns from their game mid week. Jurien Timber has been training with the squad for a while now but Mikel confirmed that he’ll play with the u-21’s first to get back his match fitness.
Pre-Game Tactical Analysis
Wolves might look vulnerable without the likes of Pedro, Cunha, Hwang, Ait Nouri and Semedo. Arsenal need to make the most of this and get the job done as soon as possible and not let them have a better say in the game.
Arsenal would look to get back to winning ways after a not-so-good run of games they’ve had in April. Arteta might want to rotate his squad and play the unfavoured guns replacing the big guns considering the fatigue factor and the quick games they have in a succession.
Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Emile Smith Rowe will want to start this match to make their value felt and prove something to Mikel Arteta. Arsenal have an unprecedented away form in 2024, but they have hardly been tested. Wolves comes in as no easy task for the Gunners but still look the favourites going into the fixture.
Wolves will look to clog the middle of the pitch with 4-5 in the centre and 3 at the back. They would look to deny progression in the middle of the park by staying close to Arsenal’s midfielders and would target their wingers, positioning them in a 2v1. Arsenal would need constant overlaps and a good shift from the orchestrator (Rice) and deep-lying playmaker (Jorginho) to win the midfield battle.
This game could give Arsenal massive momentum going forward. Being clinical and taking all the chances come to your way is going to be decisive as anything less than 3 points could be a heartbreak for Arsenal in the title race.
Key Players
João Gomes
In the heart of the Wolves midfield lies João Gomes, who’s a natural ball runner and progressive passer for the side. Reads the game very well, a relentless presser who can pose questions on Arsenal’s buildup play. Provides stability to the midfield in both attack and defence. His tactical awareness and technicality makes him a key player in the fixture vs Arsenal, especially if Wolves follow the Villa and Bayern gimmick to line-up a mid-block against the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka
Saka has been in splendid form for the Gunners this season scoring 18 goals while assisting 13 for the team. His ever-present threat on the right wing is no surprise to any team in world football. His effortless ability to cut in with his favourite left foot and fancy a shot at goal always pose a threat. With Wolves expected to nullify him with doubling up on him, Odegaard and White being as constant passing and overlapping options for the English international will be key to find a route on goal. He could make the most of it by getting in the central areas and creating more from there. Can Saka keep Arsenal’s title race hopes ticking in another important away fixture?
Predicted Lineups
Wolves lineup vs Arsenal: Sa, Gomes, Kilman, Bueno, Doherty, Lemina, Doyle, Semedo; Gomes, Hwang, Sarabia.
Arsenal lineup vs Wolves: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Rice, ESR, Saka, Havertz, Jesus
