Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Wolves: Reluctant to change

  • Arsenal take on Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday
  • Mikel Arteta unlikely to make many changes from team that thrashed Lens
  • Fabio Vieira has been added to the injury list
Mikel Arteta oversaw Arsenal's progression into the Champions League knockouts as group winners on Wednesday
Mikel Arteta oversaw Arsenal's progression into the Champions League knockouts as group winners on Wednesday / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
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Arsenal will be looking to preserve their status at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday as they welcome Gary O'Neil's Wolves to the Emirates.

The Gunners ascended to the top of the tree for the first time this term following a 1-0 win over Brentford last season. While Mikel Arteta's side were forced to win ugly in west London, they dazzled in Europe on Wednesday night as they past six past Lens to progress into the Champions League knockouts as group winners.

The nature of that performance combined with the fact that Arteta was able to rest key starters in the second half means that it's unlikely we'll see many changes to the lineup for Wolves' visit.


Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Wolves

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal purred in Europe on Wednesday night / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - After enjoying a quiet night on Wednesday, Raya will return to the Premier League XI after he was ineligible to face his parent club.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) - After starring in the first half against Lens, Tomiyasu was taken off at half-time which suggests he'll play on Saturday.

William Saliba (CB) - The Frenchman has ever so slightly dipped below his majestic standards in Arsenal's last couple of games, but he remains a supreme performer.

Gabriel (CB) - Gabriel certainly hasn't missed a beat in recent weeks. The Brazilian preserved Arsenal's clean sheet against Lens with a huge block late on.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - Like Tomi, Zinchenko was withdrawn at half-time in midweek. Arteta has carefully managed the full-back, who has been brilliant in recent outings.


Midfielders

Declan Rice (DM) - If Rice is in the team, supporters have every reason to feel safe and secure.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - Arteta will hope that Odegaard's goal on Wednesday inspires a resurgence after he struggled last week at Brentford.

Kai Havertz (CM) - Two in two for Kai, has he arrived? Time will tell, but the German is starting to boast a swagger in Arsenal colours.


Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - I couldn't believe what I was seeing when Arteta actually took one of his most prized assets off with the Gunners 5-0 up on Wednesday. More of that, boss.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - Majestic against Lens, Jesus looks to be back to full fitness and he'll be looking to make up for lost time this weekend.

Leandro Trossard (LW) - Considering his form before the break, it'd be harsh on Trossard not to start this weekend after he was an unused substitute on Wednesday.