Arsenal vs Wolverhampton predicted starting XI: Please.

Midfield

By far the position that makes me the most nervous. We know that Aaron Ramsey is unavailable, which is a sting that I guess we should enjoy, because it won’t be around much longer. In the meantime, Granit Xhaka is the big question mark. He wasn’t able to go against Crystal Palace, and just like when he was unable to go against Everton, it was a train wreck.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Simply put, Matteo Guendouzi and Mohamed Elneny do not belong in the same midfield. They have zero presence as a tandem, and that is what we are up against with Xhaka still uncertain in the health department.

On the bright side, Lucas Torreira will be available, and he will start regardless of who he starts alongside. He has better presence than Elneny, but not enough to compensate for the lack of Granit Xhaka.

So, for the sake of getting some positive energy in here, I’m going to say that Xhaka will play alongside Torreira. The alternative is starting Guendouzi next to Torreira, which isn’t something I’m particularly keen on either.

Bank on it. Xhaka will play. It’s too important for him not to.

Finally, on to the front three.