Arsenal vs Wolves: 4 interesting selection decisions for Arteta

The break in matches for Arsenal has been an arduous slog for supporters and players alike, with the gap between Brentford and Thursday’s clash with Wolves satisfyingly shorter.

An 18-day hiatus from competitive action was finally brought to an end when Mikel Arteta’s side secured a battling 1-0 win over Bruno Lage’s side at Molineux, before another nine day wait took place before dispatching the Bees.

Both wins were secured by small margins but nobody can begrudge Arsenal for claiming all the spoils. Largely in control at Molineux until the red card, the 2-1 scoreline against Brentford heavily flattered the visiting side.

February rounds off with another showdown against Wolves in just a fortnight, in what is another big clash with top four permutations.

Arsenal vs Wolves: 4 interesting selection decisions for Mikel Arteta to make in Thursday’s Premier League clash

Since losing to Arsenal Lage’s side have secured back-to-back wins over Tottenham and Leicester, results that have kept them well in the hunt for their first ever taste of Champions League football. As for Mikel Arteta’s side, it’s all about taking it one game at a time.

Results around them are unavoidable, as much as the focus needs to be on what is within their control.

The rest of the Premier League’s top four chasers will be watching intently on Thursday’s Emirates Stadium clash as it will directly impact their aspirations, while Arsenal fans will be watching on intrigued to see who Arteta opts to select in his team.

There is only so much wiggle room in the starting lineup on account of the small size of the squad, but still there are four interesting selection calls for the manager to at least ponder – the fans sure are in discussion over a few – for the visit of the side directly below them in the table.

1. Gabriel Martinelli at Centre-Forward

A change that many are craving. Barring Eddie Nketiah – who won’t be mentioned in this – Gabriel Martinelli has the most recognisable No. 9 traits in the entire squad. Perhaps even more so than Nketiah.

Arsenal have someone on their books with aggressive movement, smart positional awareness, and who actively seeks to create danger. In terms of his physique there have been considerable improvements – one need just look at the difference since he joined compared to Nicolas Pepe – and he’s bursting full of confidence this season unlike the other centre-forwards at the club.

Lacazette looked down in the dumps against Brentford. His touch evaded him, he struggled to complete simple passes and self-belief appeared to drain from him with each minute.

Martinelli has natural finishing ability, can play inside or outside and will stretch defences centrally in a way that Lacazette doesn’t. If Arsenal lump as many crosses into the box as they did against Brentford it makes even more sense for Martinelli to be in there.

How long can Arteta go on keeping one of Martinelli and Smith Rowe out of the team? Having both in the equation is an increasingly enticing option. But, of course, Arsenal are set up to play with Lacazette. His profile, while flawed, is the one that this team uses to bounce off, connect the dots and build in wide areas.

It’d be a big call.

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