Arsenal Predicted XI Vs Wolves | Premier League 2024/25

Premier League is back to action after three long months of waiting and Arsenal & Wolves can’t wait to get going.

The Gunners open what they hope ends up being a very special 2024/25 campaign at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.

Arteta has 90 points and the Premier League title on his mind, and the Spaniard knows full well that a slip-up even this early can be ill-afforded.

The Spaniard has a few injury concerns heading into the opening weekend, but Arsenal’s strong core from 2023/24 is set to feature against Gary O’Neil’s side.

Arsenal have gone close on two occasions now and know that they will need something a little bit extra to beat Manchester City to the title. With the squad looking even stronger than last year after the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber’s return to fitness, they could have found it.

Also: Arsenal vs Lyon 2-0 Highlights | Club Friendly

Such strength in depth is great for Arteta, but it gives him the kind of headaches most managers dream of. We takes a look at how he might solve his dilemmas for this weekend’s opening fixture against Wolves.

Arsenal predicted XI vs Wolves

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) – The Spaniard will be looking to continue from where he left off last season having claimed Golden Glove honours during his debut campaign.

Ben White (RB) – White’s position is not under threat. Having starred during the second half of 2023/24, the ever-available White will play a key role in the club’s title charge this term.

William Saliba (CB) – It’s been a busy summer for Saliba, but he’s returned to the Emirates as fresh and classy as ever. The Frenchman scored against Lyon last week and he’ll be aiming to match his centre-back partner on the goals front in 2024/25.

Gabriel (CB) – This time last year, there were doubts over whether Gabriel would remain at the club amid interest from Saudi Arabia. It’d take a few weeks for the Brazilian to be fully reintegrated. There will be no such experimentation at the start of 2024/25.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – Zinchenko has played his way into Saturday’s starting XI. With Jurrien Timber returning from a foot injury and Riccardo Calafiori still settling in, expect Arteta to revert to the Ukrainian.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (DM) – A lack of change in midfield means we should see Partey get the nod at the base of midfield. There’s no denying that Arsenal are better with a fit and athletic Partey purring.

Declan Rice (CM) – Assuming Partey starts, Rice will continue in the left-sided #8 role he excelled in last season.

Martin Odegaard (CM) – Odegaard was majestic in the corresponding fixture last season, and the skipper will be hoping to dazzle on the opening weekend. His evolution into an all-phase player has been crucial in the Gunners’ success.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) – It was a fairly subdued pre-season for Saka after his Euro 2024 exploits, but he’ll be ready and raring to go on Saturday against a Wolves backline that looks a little undermanned.

Kai Havertz (ST) – Gabriel Jesus was one of the stars of the summer, but Arteta will not be going without Havertz. The German forward was more productive than any Arsenal player during the second half of last season having reinvented himself as. do-it-all #9.

Leandro Trossard (LW) – Gabriel Martinelli hasn’t quite done enough to usurp Leandro Trossard, whose goals kept Arsenal in the title charge last season. The Belgian shouldn’t be a regular starter given Martinelli’s upside, but he deserves to get the nod this weekend.