Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Gunners have been in fine form since Boxing Day and they have picked up 17 points from a possible 21 and have stayed unbeaten during this phase.
They are currently 10th on the Premier League table with 31 points, but still have a good chance of making the Champions League places come the end of the season. They are currently eight points adrift of fourth-placed Leicester City.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Line-up:
Bernd Leno came up with a stunning fingertip save to deny Fred from scoring for Manchester United on Saturday and that pleased some of the Gunners fans. He has played every minute of the club’s league campaign and is expected to start in goal.
In the backline, there could be a solitary change. Kieran Tierney returned to first-team training ahead of the Red Devils clash, but he was not deemed fit enough to make the game. The Scot should return for the Wolves clash in his customary left-back role.
Cedric Soares has fared impressively in the makeshift position in the absence of Tierney and it won’t come as a surprise, if he starts ahead of Hector Bellerin on the right side of the backline tomorrow. Rob Holding and David Luiz should keep their central defensive positions.
In the midfield, one of Granit Xhaka or Thomas Partey could be rested. Partey could be the one dropping to the bench after a mixed performance against United where he was guilty of losing possession in the Gunners half on multiple occasions. He has just returned from another knock and Mikel Arteta may be cautious over his fitness. Mohamed Elneny may come in his place.
Nicolas Pepe has been finding some good rhythm over the past few games and he should continue in the starting XI. We are fancying him to slot into the left wing position with Bukayo Saka, who was left out of the United game with a minor hip issue, starting on the opposite flank.
Emile Smith Rowe has started every game since Boxing Day without much of a rest. He could be given a breather. Arteta may be tempted to hand Martin Odegaard his maiden Gunners start in the number 10 position.
Alexandre Lacazette appeared concussed in the closing stages of the United game after a clash with Harry Maguire. He offered a positive update following the game, but is unlikely to start three matches on the bounce. Eddie Nketiah should lead the line with club-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still under quarantine after recently returning home to take care of his ill mother.
