Table of Contents
Match Information
Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Date: Saturday, 17 August
Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT
Referee: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Paul Tierney
Arsenal Look to Continue Dominant Form as Premier League Campaign Kicks Off
Arsenal enter the new Premier League season in formidable form, having won 16 of their last 18 league games in 2024.
A strong pre-season saw them secure four victories from five matches, including impressive wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
Their dominance over Wolves is well-established, with the Gunners triumphing in 16 of their last 18 encounters.
This opening fixture at the Emirates is crucial for Mikel Arteta’s side. With tough matches against Aston Villa, Brighton, Spurs, and Manchester City looming Arsenal must bank points early to maintain momentum in their title challenge.
A slip-up here could prove costly in the long run, especially with the fine margins at the top of the table.
The pressure is on for a strong start, and Arsenal will be eager to make a statement as they aim to reclaim the Premier League crown after two consecutive near-misses.
Wolves Seek to Overcome Mixed Pre-Season and Key Departures as They Face Arsenal
Wolves approach their Premier League opener against Arsenal with a mixed pre-season behind them. While they secured wins against Como, Bristol City, and RB Leipzig, they also suffered defeats to Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano.
The summer transfer window has brought significant changes to their squad. Key arrivals include Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is on loan from Celta Vigo, Tommy Doyle from Manchester City, Rodrigo Gomes from Braga, and Pedro Lima from Sport Recife.
However, Wolves also saw two crucial departures: captain Max Kilman moved to West Ham United for £40 million and winger Pedro Neto joined Chelsea for £54 million.
Last season, Wolves finished 14th after a promising start was marred by a poor run towards the end.
As they kick off their new campaign, Wolves will need to quickly integrate their new signings and address the gaps left by departing players to challenge Arsenal at the Emirates.
Arsenal vs. Wolves: Form Guide and Expectations
Arsenal’s current form is strong, with notable pre-season victories, including a 2-0 win against Lyon and a 4-1 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite a narrow 2-1 loss to Liverpool, the Gunners also secured a 2-1 victory over Manchester United and drew 1-1 in a prior meeting with the same team.
Wolves, meanwhile, have had a mixed run. They recently lost 0-1 to Rayo Vallecano but enjoyed convincing wins over RB Leipzig (3-0), West Ham United (3-1), and Bristol City (3-0), though they stumbled against Crystal Palace with a 1-3 defeat.
Arsenal enters this fixture with high expectations and pressure to win, especially against a lower-ranked team like Wolves. With a tough opening slate ahead, including matches against Aston Villa, Spurs, and Manchester City, the Gunners cannot afford any early slip-ups. Securing three points here is crucial to maintaining momentum in their title challenge.
Arsenal vs Wolves Team News
Arsenal Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale
- Defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Oleksandr Zinchenko
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Martin Ødegaard (Captain)
- Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli
Mikel Arteta has opted for a strong lineup, featuring new signing Declan Rice in midfield alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Ødegaard. The attacking trio includes Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli, ensuring a formidable front line.
Wolves Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Jose Sá
- Defenders: Matt Doherty, Yerson Mosquera, Max Kilman, Hugo Bueno
- Midfielders: Mario Lemina, Joao Gomes, Rodrigo Gomes
- Forwards: Hwang Hee-chan, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Pedro Neto
Wolves, under Gary O’Neil, have made several changes, with Matt Doherty and Yerson Mosquera in the defense. New signing Jorgen Strand Larsen starts up front, with support from Pedro Neto and Hwang Hee-chan.
This match will test both teams’ pre-season preparations and new signings as they begin their Premier League campaigns.
KN24 Prediction: Arsenal 2 – Wolves 0
