Arsenal are set to play their final Premier League match before the World Cup gets underway. An interesting trip to Wolves is the test for the Gunners, a ground which has provided both ups and downs over the years.
Mikel Arteta has a very competitive squad available with only the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiyasu not available. The first team has been very consistent under the Spaniard with the Arsenal manager trying to avoid changing too much about it.
With this being the final game, it will be interesting to see how that affects his decision-making regarding the team. He must get this right to give the Gunners the best possible chance of victory and football.london's writers have had their say on who they believe is the optimal selection for the clash.
READ MORE: Arsenal press conference LIVE: Arteta on Wolves, team news, Tomiyasu return and World Cup break
Kaya Kaynak
For the final Arsenal game before the World Cup, I would look to go as strong as possible and luckily with fitness as it is, that option seems to be available.
Aaron Ramsdale is certain to come back in goal, particularly after Karl Hein's errors in midweek. In front of him, three of the back four in Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel kind of pick themselves. At left-back, though, it's Oleksandr Zinchenko for me. He's not going to the World Cup so it doesn't feel like a fitness risk so why not put him in to dominate possession.
In midfield, Thomas Partey is an obvious choice, with Granit Xhaka coming into the side alongside him and Martin Odegaard captaining the side.
Finally, up front, it would be a strong side allowing Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus to celebrate their World Cup call-ups for Brazil while Bukayo Saka will get to do the same on the right wing.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Wolves - Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Tom Canton
The side that beat Chelsea at the weekend needs no tweaking or shifting. Rotation is not necessary either with only William Saliba starting the midweek defeat in the Carabao Cup. Several starters did come off the bench however had little impact.
The Premier League is certainly the main focus of the squad sitting top of the table. The return of Oleksandr Zinchenko proved a key factor in the dominance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and the Ukrainian’s presence should allow greater control than the Gunners have typically managed at Molineux.
Gabriel Jesus could really use a goal going into the World Cup. Richarlison is almost certain to start but having only just come back from injury, if the Arsenal man can hit form at the right time, it will do his international chances of playing the world of good.
It will be interesting however to see how Gabriel Magalhaes responds to not making the squad. This will be the first start since the bad news and will provide some insight into how he might respond.
Canton’s Arsenal XI to face Wolves: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
Sam Truelove
Arsenal have the chance to be top of the Premier League table at Christmas and a win at Molineux Stadium on Saturday evening would ensure just that. Standing in Mikel Arteta's way is a Wolverhampton Wanderers side who have struggled in front of goal this season, with the West Midlands outfit languishing in the relegation zone.
Three points are never guaranteed in the Premier League, though, and it's because of this that Arteta should select his best possible team. Despite Kieran Tierney's impressive form of late, Oleksandr Zinchenko has to start. The Ukrainian oozed class in the Gunners' 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge last week and, fitness permitting, should retain his place.
Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes make up the rest of the backline, with regular No.1 Aaron Ramsdale back between the sticks after a rest midweek. Gabriel perhaps has somewhat of a point to prove after missing out on the Brazil World Cup squad, and you wouldn't bet against him grabbing another goal after scoring against again Chelsea last week.
The midfield and attack pretty much pick themselves, barring any late injuries. Gabriel Jesus will want to end his nine-game goalscoring drought ahead of the World Cup, while Gabriel Martinelli will be on cloud nine following his inclusion in Tite's 26-man squad.
Truelove's Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
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