Arsenal are embroiled in a top-four race with Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United. On Sunday the Gunners had a genuine opening to cement their odds of being in the Champions League next season, however, they blew it away after failing to get a result against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
Unai Emery’s side are now in fifth position, two points above Manchester United, and just one below Chelsea who have played one more game.
Heading to Molineux on Wednesday confidence must be shaky. However, this is a must-win match for the North London Club if they are to keep alive their top four hopes. The team is aware of what is at stake but the big question is whether they will be able to rise to the occasion.
Emery’s men didn’t have a great game on Sunday, they lacked intent in their play gave away the ball easily, presented the Eagles with unwise fouls and defended awfully. Against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the team’s character will be under scrutiny with a big performance needed.
Nuno Espirito Santo, the Wolves manager, expects his team to give Arsenal problems as they have always done against the top six. His side is experiencing a poor run having just won one game in their last five. However, that is not a candid consolation for the Gunners as Nuno’s men have always proved to be a challenge for the top six sides. They have continuously picked big points against the top six teams and will be looking to continue with the same mindset.
To win the game, the Emirates club will have to strike a reasonable balance between attack and defence, be disciplined and ensure they score more than they concede. The starting line-up should be well balanced so as to win key battles. Given the performance against Crystal Palace, it is only fair to say that Emery’s squad rotation policy is inept and therefore a full-strength first team should suffice.
Midfield will be crucial and a fit Granit Xhaka partnering Lucas Torreira should be able to do the job at the center of the park. Sokratis Papastathopoulos is expected to be back after a two-match ban and his partnership with Koscielny should provide the much-needed steel at the back.
At the front Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the “perfect” striker partnership should have no trouble being in the starting line-up. No matter how the Gunners play the bottom line should be three points, they should be able to bounce back from the shock defeat against Crystal Palace and pick three points at the Molineux.
