Mikel Arteta will likely name an unchanged side from the game against Lens, with Kai Havertz starting in midfield for Arsenal against Wolves.
Mikel Arteta will have no qualms about naming an unchanged lineup from thee stellar victory over RC Lens in midweek. The win took Arsenal into the Champions League knockout stages as group winners, but now, the Spaniard will look to keep their lead at the top of the Premier League standings when they welcome Wolves to the Emirates on Saturday.
Without much to report on the injury front, Arteta’s pre-match press conference involved questions about form, some of his players, including Kai Havertz, and some chatter about the German in the team’s evolving midfield. Starting with fitness updates, the Spaniard confirmed there were no fresh issues after the midweek clash.
Arteta said, “No, I don’t think we are going to get anybody back still, and we didn’t have any incidents, so all good.” The chatter shifted towards players, with Havertz in focus after scoring in consecutive games. His form has kicked on after a difficult start to life at Arsenal.
Arteta said, “First of all support him, like with any other player, and give him the tools and the time to show his qualities. I think that’s what he’s doing. Everything is starting to come together. A lot of the things he was doing right, he’s continued to do and now obviously in front of goal, he’s being very efficient.”
Arsenal vs Wolves Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Arteta was then asked about a continuation of his midfield trio from midweek involving Declan Rice, Havertz and Odegaard. The midweek clash was the first time that the trio and their front three played a game together this season.
Arteta continued, “Well I think time will help and the more minutes that they play together the chemistry will get better and better as well, but we have many options with different qualities. We played as well with two players, not as offensive as the three that we are talking about right now, and it depends as well on the opponent, game state and what we are trying to do.”
Arteta will have no reason to change his setup from the midweek thrashing of RC Lens. Arsenal had six different scorers in that game, which would have answered some criticisms that the Gunners lacked in the attacking department.
David Raya should keep his place without a doubt, while Arteta will go with the same back four that started on Wednesday. Ben White remains a significant option, but Arteta will not want to risk him after his recent fitness issue.
Similarly, in midfield, Declan Rice has shown his best position is in the lone holding role, with Havertz and Odegaard able to complement the England international well. Bukayo Saka continues to prove his decisiveness, while Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus continue to improve their respective form.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
