Arsenal have picked up their pace in recent months and they are now in prime position to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
The Gunners are currently sixth on the table but they are only four points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with three games in hand and next up, they take on Wolves in a midweek fixture.
Wolves are just two points behind Arsenal themselves so if they can win on Thursday they will go ahead of Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal have won three out of their previous five league games but Bruno Lage’s side have won four out of their last five outings so this one’s going to be a pretty even contest.
The Gunners have a fully-fit squad to choose from so Mikel Arteta can name his strongest side and with no other competitions to look forward to, Arsenal can keep their full focus on the PL.
This is the second meeting between the two teams in the space of two weeks and in the away leg, Arsenal valiantly managed to pick up a 1-0 win despite going down to 10 men. Based on form, both the sides are pretty even but Mikel Arteta’s men have a major incentive of entering the top four and this could prove to be the decisive catalyst.
Arsenal team news vs Wolves:
Mikel Arteta has no absentees for this midweek clash after Bernd Leno has returned from COVID. The German though will only find a place on the bench.
Soares was playing as the first-choice right-back against Brentford but now that Tomiyasu has returned from injury, Soares will fall down the pecking order.
📸 Brand new training pics have just dropped!
Who do you want to see? 👇
🔜 #ARSWOL pic.twitter.com/Yblm0TbRAB
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 22, 2022
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have formed a formidable partnership in defensive midfield and they will once again take the field on Thursday night.
Gabriel Martinelli will be back from suspension and he will come straight back into the side which means Emile Smith Rowe will have to be content with a substitute’s appearance.
The manager was full praise of ESR in his pre-match press conference but we don’t think the England international is going to get a starting berth.
Arteta said, as per the club’s official website: “He’s practising every day, he is working, he has willingness to do it because he knows he has the qualities and the capacity to do it. That’s what we have to demand from players whether they are 19 or 20 or 35.
“I think it’s [down to] a combination of everything. It’s in his nature, he needs to feel that confidence and that trust around the coaching staff that we are the right people to guide him and to take him to the next level.”
“The way he likes to play football and everything he does is to become better… He will be top, top." 🔥
– Mikel Arteta on Martin Odegaard pic.twitter.com/4ikh04kHrA
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 21, 2022
The other players though will not be rested with Odegaard as the No 10 and Bukayo Saka operating on the right-wing.
After Aubameyang’s departure, Alexandre Lacazette is currently the first-choice centre-forward at the club and he also provided an assist against the Bees.
Arsenal predicted line up vs Wolves:
Predicted Starting Line up(4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; Tierney, Gabriel, Ben White, Tomiyasu; Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Odegaard, Martinelli, Bukayo Saka; Lacazette.
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Stats via Fotmob
