Arsenal FC vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Arsenal FC vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Match Prediction & Analysis

After narrowly missing out on winning the title last season, the contenders, Arsenal, are back at Emirates Stadium and will start off their 2024/25 campaign by hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17 at 7:30 p.m. IST. 

Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, head into the new season on the back of a remarkable campaign in 2023–24, that saw them create a club record of 28 wins, the most achieved by the club in a single season since the early 1970’s. Despite that, they fell short by two points to the eventual winners, Manchester City. 

In the meantime, Gary O'Neill's side finished a disappointing 14th in the league after falling away from the top half of the table by managing to win only one of their last ten matches in the 2023/24 season. The Wolves have finished in the top half three times since returning to the top division in the 2018–19 season. Getting back into the top 10 will be one of the targets for O'Neill’s men this season. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Arsenal FC Preview

Arsenal's 2023–24 season came to a devastating end after leading the title race for the majority of the previous season. However, City, being the machine that they are, defeated them for the title in the final stretch of the season. It all came down to the final ten games, with City winning nine and drawing one, while the Gunners won eight, drew one, and lost once. 

That loss in the end against Aston Villa (0-2) cost them the title. Nonetheless, Arteta is likely to exploit the disappointment to boost his players' motivation to win a trophy for the first time since the 'Invincibles' in 2004.

In their quest for that elusive title, the Gunners have added some reinforcements to the squad. With the intention of strengthening the defence, which had shown periods of fragility at crucial points in the last season, the club has acquired the services of the promising Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a £40 million deal. His versatility to play as a left-back or centre-back gives Arteta tactical flexibility. 

Meanwhile, David Raya has been given a permanent deal with the club following his outstanding performance last season, which saw him keep 16 clean sheets in 38 appearances. 

The reinforcements are done, but all eyes will be on two of Arsenal's biggest MVPs from last season—Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard—to replicate that form into the coming season. Saka had a memorable season, where he finished with 16 goals and nine assists, making him the first Englishman since Ian Wright in 1996/97 to score 15 goals in a Premier League season. 

Simultaneously, Odegaard, who led the team on and off the pitch, showed tremendous maturity in dealing with the Emirates crowd after their last game of the season, finished the campaign with 10 assists and 8 goals. 

Coming into the game, the Gunners have some injury concerns, with the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber set to miss out on the opening match. In terms of tactics, Arteta is expected to line up his 11 in a 4-3-3 formation with the front three of Saka, Havertz, and Martinelli. 

Arsenal Probable Starting XI - Raya (Goalkeeper); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Defenders); Ødegaard, Partey, Rice (Midfielders); Saka, Havertz, Martinelli (Forwards) 

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Preview

There isn't much to ponder  when a team finishes in the bottom half of the table after a season, especially when they end up occupying a position lower than what they achieved in the previous year. However, given how many pundits had predicted a bottom place finish for the Wolves, Gary O'Neil has done a great job of defying those expectations with a 14th-place finish in 2023/24. Not to mention,  the Midlands fell from the top half only at the final stretch of the season after managing to win one of the final 10 matches. 

Even though the season ended in a disappointing fashion, wins over Manchester City and Spurs provided plenty of positives for Gary O'Neil's side. All the more reason to believe they have a chance against Arsenal on Saturday. 

However, the Midlands have found themselves in a spot of trouble ahead of the new season with regards to some players who  left the club in the summer. Among those players, the departure of captain Max Kilman and midfielder Pedro Neto will hurt the club and fans alike.

Kilman's transfer to the London club has left a vacuum in Wolves' defence, one that they have yet to fill adequately. Meanwhile, Neto's absence will leave a big hole in the attacking front, as he was identified as one of the bankable creative outlets for the side and the one who could turn a match around with his individual brilliance. In season 2023/24, Neto provided the most assists ( 9 assists) for the Wolves and made the second highest number of key passes ( 38).

Despite the club's limited resources, some reinforcements have been made ahead of the new season. The arrival of right-back Pedro Lima from Sport Recife and midfielder Rodrigo Gomes from Sporting Braga are positive additions, given their age. Meanwhile, the loan signing of Jørgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo provides much-needed depth in attack. 

In terms of tactics, looking at Arsenal’s strengths and how O'Neill has lined up his team in the past, expect a 3-5-2 set-up with Hwang Hee-Chan and Jørgen Strand Larsen leading the attack. 

Wolverhampton Probable Starting XI - Sá (Goalkeeper); Doherty, Mosquera, Toti, Aït-Nouri (Defenders); Sarabria, Lemina, J. Gomes (Midfielders); R. Gomes, Hwang, Strand Larsen (Forwards) 

ARSENAL FC vs WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS FC
Winning Prediction

This is a rivalry Arsenal has dominated. In the roughly 20 games between the teams, the Gunners have won 14 and lost only 3. Ahead of their opening match, Arsenal's form has been strong, with wins over Manchester United (2-1), Bayer Leverkusen (4-1), Lyon (2-0), and a draw against Bournemouth (1-1). Their only pre-season loss came against Liverpool (2-1).

Regardless of pre-season results, Arsenal are clear favorites for this fixture, boasting an impressive head-to-head record and a 33-game scoring streak against their opponents across all competitions. In all likelihood, Arsenal will convincingly defeat Wolves and kickstart their campaign with a home win and  an xG of 3 is predicted for the match.

Arsenal FC to win (4-1)

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