First time in 10 weeks: Arteta could start Arsenal trio in midfield vs Wolves with Zubimendi rested

Arsenal will aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Gunners suffered a demoralising 2-1 league defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. They looked on course for a hard-fought point before Emiliano Buendia scored with the last kick of the game.

Mikel Arteta’s side provided a perfect response in midweek with a 3-0 Champions League away triumph over Club Brugge. They will now be eyeing a comfortable victory over Wolves at home.

Ahead of the encounter, we have predicted Noni Madueke to start on the left wing with Bukayo Saka on the opposite end. Madueke has an excellent record against Wolves with four goals in three games.

Meanwhile, we anticipate some key changes in the centre of the park. Martin Zubimendi played the full 90 minutes at Brugge, and he could be given a breather against Rob Edwards’ side.

Declan Rice, who was ruled out with illness on Wednesday, could be drafted straight into the number six role.

We anticipate Martin Odegaard to be accompanied by Eberechi Eze in central midfield, replacing Mikel Merino.

Rice, Eze and Odegaard have made the starting XI together on a few occasions, including last weekend. Eze started on the left wing against the Villans and failed to track Matty Cash’s run for the opening goal.

The 27-year-old was substituted at the interval along with Merino. Eze was an unused substitute against Brugge, which is a potential hint that he could be involved from the off on Saturday.

Arteta previously started the trio of Rice, Eze and Odegaard in midfield against West Ham United on October 4. Odegaard picked up an early injury and was replaced by Zubimendi in the 30th minute.

Hence, the fans did not get a bigger glimpse of the trio in the centre of the park. After a space of 10 weeks, Arteta could be tempted to pick them together against a struggling Wolves outfit.

The West Midlands side have looked out of sorts in every department this campaign. It could be a perfect opportunity to start Rice as the number six, with Odegaard and Eze operating ahead of him.

Like Madueke, Odegaard and Eze have fared well against Wolves in the league over the past few seasons. The duo have scored four and five goals respectively from seven previous meetings.

Arsenal are presently two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table with an identical goal difference.

A huge margin win over Wolves could prove handy at the end of the season if the title is decided on goal difference.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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