Wolves vs Arsenal
Date: 02/02/2021
K/O: 18:00
Venue: Molineux
Referee: Craig Pawson
TV: BT Sport
Wolves host Arsenal this Tuesday evening in what is a huge game for both sides.
The Midlands club are in a horrendous run of form, still heavily blighted by the loss of Raul Jimenez who fractured his skull in the reverse fixture at the Emirates last November. Despite holding on to win that match 2-1, Tuesday night’s hosts have won just one Premier League since then, a run which has seen them slide down the table at an alarming rate. No team has collected fewer points in their last five games than Wolves and a win against Arsenal will help ease the pressure that is building on Nuno Espirito Santo. It is the first time that the Portuguese manager has been under any serious scrutiny since arriving at Wolves in 2017, and how he and his team respond to that is essential for their season’s ambitions.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are a team on the up. Their revival has saved Mikel Arteta his job, with the Gunners unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games. While any realistic chance of a top four finish dissipated after their disastrous start to the campaign, there is still a possibility that Arsenal could sneak into the Europa League places. This is a season of unpredictability, but there are a handful of teams above the Gunners that could fall away before the season’s end, paving the way for the North Londoners to climb further up the table.
Injuries have been cruel to Santo and Wolves this season, and are one of the major factors that they are enduring a poor run of form. However, Wolves fans will have been buoyed by the arrival of Willian Jose from Real Sociedad in January. While he didn’t find the back of the net against neither Chelsea nor Crystal Palace, the Brazilian striker certainly provides more of a focal point to what has been a blunt attack in the absence of Jimenez.
Arsenal’s young forwards have been a huge reason for their improvement in form. The likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have impressed recently, with the increased competition for selection resulting in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette starting to show glimpses of their full potential. However, Arteta will have been rocked by the news this week that Saka, Aubameyang and Kieran Tierney are serious doubts for their trip to Molineux.
Team News
Wolves
As mentioned, Wolves have been struggling with an injury crisis across the pitch. In defence, Marcal, Jonny and Rayan Ait-Nouri have been missing, with summer signing Ki-Jana Hoever playing at right wing-back and Nelson Semedo operating on the left flank. The wing-back system is Santo’s tried and tested formation, and despite attempts to deploy four at the back, it seems 3-4-3 will be Wolves’ system of choice moving forward.
Arsenal
As mentioned, it looks likely that Tierney, Aubameyang and Saka will all miss out, paving the way for Nicolas Pepe to make his third successive league start. Brazilians Martinelli and Willian could both start for the Gunners, while Thomas Partey should continue in midfield alongside Granit Xhaka.
Predicted Starting XIs
Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio; Boly, Coady, Saiss; Hoever, Neves, Dendoncker, Semedo; Traore, Willian Jose, Neto
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Luiz, Soares; Thomas, Xhaka; Willian, Smith-Rowe, Martinelli; Lacazette
Score Prediction: Wolves 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal look a far superior side to the team that lost 2-1 to Wolves earlier in the season, while the polar opposite can be said for their opponents coming into Tuesday’s game. Wolves are not a bad team however, and Arsenal will have to put in a strong display if they are to leave the Midlands with all three points. If the likes of Neto, Willian Jose and Traore can re-discover their form, it could prove to be a tricky evening for Arteta and his charges. Nevertheless, on current form, it’s hard to go against the Gunners winning on the road again.
