Game Week 14 Predictions: Arsenal to beat Wolves at the Emirates

Game Week 14 Predictions: United to share points at Newcastle

Arsenal is the favorite to win on Saturday when Wolves travel to the Emirates but the visitors can find ways to trouble the Gunners. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Arsenal vs. Wolves

Emirates Stadium

4:00pm

Arsenal surged into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on their return to the competition since 2017. Their big win over RC Lens confirmed their status as the group winner, and they entered the home game against Wolves in high spirits.

Wolves didn’t have a good day out last time against Fulham; leveling twice after conceding got them thinking they could get out of Craven Cottage with a point, but a late Willian penalty handed the game to the Lilywhites.

The Wolves'' form isn’t the best, but they are quite clear of the relegation zone. Ten points above Sheffield in 18^th is all shades of comfort; however, the English Premier League shows from time to time that things can happen too quickly.

Arsenal proved last weekend that they can leave things late and still get the job done. The Gunners had to cope with a low block from Brentford, and it took a last-gasp goal from an unlikely source—Kai Havertz—to send Arsenal to the top of the table.

Wolves can be a banana peel to the Gunners, with Gary O’Neil setting up his team brilliantly to express themselves, but they might want to follow the Brentford template to frustrate the Gunners and then hit them on the break.

Wolves will be without a few players; Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes both picked their respective fifth yellow cards of the season in the loss at Fulham and would both miss the trip to Arsenal. Pedro Neto is still unavailable, but Craig Dawson returns from suspension.

Mikel Arteta confirms that the duo of Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe are still not in contention; Fabio Vieira continues to serve his ban, and Jurien Timber is a long-term absentee; however, there are no fresh injury concerns for the Gunners.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli must both find ways to break free from the men that mount against them in the league week in and week out. Saka enjoyed a great evening in the Champions League with the space afforded him by the RC Lens defenders, but he doesn’t get much space in the league.

Gabriel Jesus is expected to lead the line, but Arteta could be tempted to hand a start to Havertz, who has found the back of the net in Arsenal’s last two games in all competitions; he could come in for Leandro Trossard in the midfield.

Arsenal will stay on top of the log if they beat Wolves, and that could be the tonic they need to go all the way this season after falling short at the tail end of last season. The Wolves will entertain, but if they do get their chances in the game, they must take them.

Verdict: Straight win at Arsenal