Arsenal predicted line-up vs Wolves: key change made as £92m duo earn a start in attack

After two near title misses, Arsenal are hoping that this can be the season that they finally turn silver into gold as they look to knock Manchester City off their perch at the top of the Premier League table.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta kicks off his fifth full season with a home clash against Wolverampton Wanderers and knows that his side will need to be at the races from the word go if they are to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s dominant City team. The Gunners did the double over Wolves last term and will enter the clash as clear favourites to pick up all three points. 

Arteta has welcomed two new additions to his team this summer while last summer’s marquee defensive addition Jurrien Timber will also feel like a new signing after recovering from an ACL injury.

Wolves under the management of Gary O’Neil will be out to cause an upset at the Emirates Stadium, with Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee Chan both being huge goal threats. Ahead of the exciting Premier League clash 3AM has taken a look at Arsenal’s current injury situation and the most likely Gunners XI for the opening game.

Arsenal injury news

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is unable to call upon forgotten defender Kieran Tierney (hamstring) or Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) for the 3pm kick off. However, they do have a big boost in defence following the return of Jurrien Timber. The £34m signing made just two appearances last season after sustaining a serious ACL injury and will now be looking to prove himself in North London.

The Dutch international is just one of a number of defensive options for Mikel Arteta to choose from, with the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori also battling for a starting spot.

Arsenal predicted XI

Arsenal are expected to line-up with a very familiar 4-3-3 formation after huge success in the Premier League last term. The Gunners ended pre-season with a 2-0 Emirates Cup triumph against Lyon and lined up with a team not too dissimilar from the one expected to play against Wolves.

Summer signing David Raya made his move permanent after a successful loan spell. He is expected to remain as first choice ahead of Aaron Ramsdale.A back four of Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko are likely to play together with Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber both providing cover in the early weeks.

A midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and playmaker Martin Odegaard is expected to provide a creative outlet to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard going forward.

Arsenal predicted XI: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard.