Arsenal will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League when they play Wolves today. Mikel Arteta’s side can go four points clear of Manchester City, who don’t play until tomorrow. Express Sport looks at the XI Arteta could pick, which could upset a couple of star players.
Goalkeeper – Raya
David Raya unsurprisingly came back into the side for the Champions League match against Lens in midweek. Aaron Ramsdale put in a shaky performance against Brentford last weekend despite keeping a clean sheet.
Raya is Arteta’s No 1 and that will seemingly stay that way unless he suffers an injury. The Spaniard has looked more assured of late between the sticks.
Defence – Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko
The first player Arteta could upset is Ben White. The right-back hasn’t started any of the last three matches as he recovered from injury.
He came off the bench late on at Brentford and played the second half against Lens. Takehiro Tomiyasu has played well in his absence and deserves to keep his place, though White may feel aggrieved as he barely put a foot wrong before his injury.
William Saliba and Gabriel should continue in the middle of defence ahead of a busy period. Oleksandr Zinchenko also came off at half-time on Wednesday and should be well-rested for this one.
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Midfield – Rice, Odegaard, Havertz
Arteta may also be in the bad books of Leandro Trossard if he doesn’t make the starting XI for this one. The Belgian dropped out of the side on Wednesday and didn’t even come on as a substitute.
He has impressed of late and started in midfield against Brentford. But Kai Havertz has done enough in his last two outings to keep his place.
Declan Rice is getting better with each passing game. Martin Odegaard will complete the midfield three having scored against Lens.
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Attack – Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Arteta will want to pick his preferred front three as much as he possibly can. Gabriel Jesus, in particular, and Gabriel Martinelli have both endured significant spells on the sidelines through injury this season.
It was evident in midweek how having the Brazilian duo fit alongside Bukayo Saka gives Arsenal a different edge in the final third. Trossard will therefore struggle to break into the team in this position, too.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Wolves in full: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
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