Arsenal can go into the World Cup break at the top of the Premier League this weekend, as they take on Wolves at Molineux.
A disappointing 3-1 defeat against Brighton saw Arsenal crash out of the Carabao Cup in their last outing, exiting the competition in the third round. The silver lining is that it's one less competition for Mikel Arteta to worry about, with the Gunners currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League.
If Arsenal win on Saturday night, they will enter the World Cup break at the top of the table, but a draw or loss, along with a Man City win, will see the Gunners drop to second in the league. Arsenal have had close encounters with Wolves in their last four meetings, with one goal separating the sides in each of the four as the Gunners emerged winners in the last two.
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Emile Smith-Rowe is Arsenal's only guaranteed absentee, whilst Takehiro Tomiyaso may miss out with an injury. So, can Arsenal go into the World Cup break in first place?
We simulated the game to find out. To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We simulated Wolve vs Arsenal to get a score prediction
We predict that the hosts could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Sa; Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno; Neves, Moutinho; Hee-Chan, Podence, Traore; Guedes.
We predict that the Gunners could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka.; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
It was a tough start for Arsenal at Molineux, with the hosts using their pace in attack to try and hurt Arsenal. The Gunners were the second-best team in the first half, and Wolves entered the half-time break with the lead after Daniel Podence scored 20 minutes in.
Adama Traore rolled the ball to Podence just outside the Arsenal box, and the Portuguese midfielder hit his effort first-time, aiming for the far corner of the goal. But, as William Saliba rushed out to close down the forward, the ball took a wicked deflection off the defender's foot, looping over Aaron Ramsdale and into the net.
Despite the stroke of luck, it was a deserved lead for the hosts, with Arsenal yet to get going. Arteta's side came out. much improved side in the second half, and they managed to find the equaliser 55 minutes in through Gabriel Martinelli.
As Gabriel Jesus dropped deep to ask for the ball, both centre-backs followed, opening up a huge gap in defence for Martinelli to attack. Martin Odegaard fizzed a ball through to the Brazilian, and when one-on-one with the 'keeper, the winger powered his shot into the bottom corner to level the score.
After the goal, Arsenal took control, with Bukayo Saka, Jesus and Martinelli all coming close, but wasting great opportunities. In the end, the chances came and went, with the Gunners having to settle for a point.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Wolves 1-1 Arsenal
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that Arsenal could be held to a draw against Wolves on Saturday night, a result that could potentially see the Gunners drop to second in the league table. Plenty of chances fell to Arteta's side in the simulation, but sloppiness in front of goal cost the Gunners.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
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