Arsenal v Wolves – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Arsenal face Wolves in the English Premier League on Saturday. The Gunners sit top of the table and won 6-0 in midweek vs Lens. Wolves have beaten Man City and Tottenham this season, but they’ve been beaten in their last four fixtures against Arsenal.

Arsenal Form

Mikel Arteta’s side have just once in their last 14 matches in the league. After beating Man City 1-0, they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea and then smashed Sheffield United 5-0 at home. Two defeats in a row followed, firstly 3-2 at West Ham in the Carabao Cup and then 1-0 at Newcastle after a controversial winner by the Magpies.

Those losses have been put behind them with four victories in a row. A 2-0 home win over Sevilla and a 3-1 victory over Burnley sent Arsenal into the FIFA break on a good note. They’ve since scored an 89th-minute goal to win 1-0 at Brentford before six different players scored in a 6-0 midweek destruction of Lens in the Champions League.

Arsenal Team News

Jurrien Timber remains out injured long-term and both Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe won’t play until the new year. Attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira faces six weeks out with a groin problem.

Arteta could name most of the same XI from midweek. Ben White is fit and is one possible change. Kai Havertz is set to play to Declan Rice’s left in preference to Leandro Trossard, who started at Brentford.

Arsenal Motivation

Nothing less than three points will be considered a good result. Arsenal will attack and go all out to win the match.

The Gunners are playing with confidence, and they didn’t waste much energy in midweek. Expect a fast start with plenty of control and energy.

Wolves Form

Wolves sit 12th in the league table and only three teams have conceded more goals than them. They had a very strong streak of results, beginning with a superb 2-1 home win over Man City. A solid 1-1 home draw with Aston Villa and a 2-1 win at Bournemouth followed. They twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home with Newcastle.

The last three fixtures have been inconsistent. They lost 2-1 at whipping boys Sheffield United before scoring two very late goals to beat a depleted Tottenham side 2-1 at home. On Monday, a 2-1 lead at Fulham was surrendered after two penalties were conceded. The Cottagers put up 2.90 xG but 1.58 xG of that came from the penalty spot.

Wolves Team News

Gary O’Neill welcomes back Craig Dawson from suspension after he missed the defeat at Fulham. Rayan Ait Nouri went off injured in that match with an ankle sprain and will play no part in this match. Midfielder Joseph Hodge is still injured too.

Key assist provider Pedro Neto is about two weeks away from a return. Wolves are set to continue with a 3-5-2 shape. Tommy Doyle may be an option to solidify midfield in place of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde.

Wolves Motivation

The approach from the visitors is pretty predictable. They will play a mid-block, look to win the ball in their half, and transition quickly through Cunha and Hwang.

A draw would be a great result from this match. They could play for one from the start or settle for a point quite early on.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won 5 of their 7 home matches this season (2 draws)

Arsenal have scored 2+ goals in 6 of their last 7 home matches

Arsenal have won 4 matches in a row with 12 goals scored

Wolves have lost 2 of their last 3 EPL matches

Wolves have lost their last 4 matches vs Arsenal

Verdict

Arteta’s side should have too much for Wolves in this one. Extracting value from the fixture is not easy but an Arsenal win to nil could be the best option, as well as targeting the goalscorer market.

Best Bet: Arsenal win to zero at 2.05

Value Bet: Arsenal win (-2 handicap) at 3.10

Goalscorer Tip: Bukayo Saka to score anytime at 2.65

BET Contributor