Arsenal vs Wolves: Premier League – LIVE!
A remarkable season today concludes for the Gunners, which will see Mikel Arteta’s side end up empty-handed but with the positive feeling around the club stronger than it’s been in years. A hugely impressive, and equally unexpected, title challenge recently ended in somewhat of a whimper, but Arsenal will be delighted with a comfortable second-placed finish.
Arteta has a few fitness issues to contend with as the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba already ruled out, and Bukayo Saka a doubt. Matt Turner should get the nod in goal and fellow fringe player Reiss Nelson given a change to impress up top. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus should complete the front line.
Wolves will also be looking to finish on a positive note after another turbulent season, and today could prove to be manager Julen Lopetegui’s final game in charge. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Simon Collings at Emirates Stadium.
Live updates
Team news is coming up in under 10 minutes…
Arsenal will be wearing their new home kit for the 2023-24 season, inspired by the legendary Invincibles.
The Gunners’ latest Adidas effort features their traditional red and white home colours, with a zap pattern on the front and white sleeves.
The Adidas logo and shoulder stripes are both in gold, as is the Arsenal crest, paying homage to the 2003/04 Premier League title winners – the last Arsenal team to lift the trophy – that made history by going the entire campaign unbeaten with 26 wins and 12 draws.
In a further nod to the Invincibles, the authentic versions of the new kit have that record sewn into the side of the shirt.
The red back of the shirt also has the same zap pattern as the front, plus a golden zap coming down from the collar. The kit is complete with white shorts and gold trim and white socks with a red zap pattern on the back.
Today, adidas and Arsenal reveal the Arsenal home jersey for the 2023/24 season, marking the 20th anniversary of the ‘Invincibles’ season with a bold new look.
/ adidasStats
Arsenal are vying for a fourth consecutive league win against Wolves.
Wolves lost 2-1 at Emirates Stadium last season but that is their only defeat in the past five visits.
Arsenal are two short of 100 goals in all competitions this season.
Gabriel can become the fourth outfield player to start all of Arsenal’s Premier League matches in a season, emulating Lee Dixon and Paul Merson in 1995-96 and Nigel Winterburn in 1996-97.
Today looks set to be Granit Xhaka’s farewell game at Arsenal.
The midfielder is expected to leave Arsenal this summer after seven years at the club with talks advanced over a £13million move to Bayer Leverkusen.
Mikel Arteta has hailed Xhaka for playing a “crucial” role in Arsenal’s development to become title challengers.
“For me, crucial,” said Arteta. “Really really important, on every level. I think for the team and for the club as well. In the great moments like the season he has had, and in the difficult ones.
Read the full story here.
Arsenal have completed their makeover of the outside of Emirates Stadium and the last piece of artwork has been installed ahead of today’s game.
The piece is titled ‘Found a Place Where We Belong’ and is inspired by a quote from legendary striker Dennis Bergkamp.
It depicts some supporters who have attended more than 350 matches at the Emirates since it opened in 2006, nominated representatives from Supporters’ Clubs and iconic fans through the ages.
Club staff past and present are also part of the piece. Critically acclaimed artist Reuben Dangoor spent over 20 weeks illustrating the piece and that is why it has only been installed now.
Fans will get the chance to see it for the first time then, with the Emirates’ new look now complete after the other seven pieces of artwork began going up in January.
Match odds
Arsenal to win: 2/7
Draw: 9/2
Wolves to win: 9/1
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Head to head history and results
Arsenal wins: 61
Draws: 28
Wolves wins: 32
Prediction
Wolves’ only win away from home in 2023 came against Southampton, and they come against a side in Arsenal who, aside from their recent stumbles, have been incredibly impressive at the Emirates.
The Gunners look a world away from the team that led the Premier League for so much of the season, but they should still have enough here to finish the campaign in successful fashion.
Arsenal to win, 2-1.
Wolves team news
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui will serve a one-game touchline ban after receiving his fourth yellow card of the season against Everton.
Long-term absentees Sasa Kalajdzic and Chiquinho are still unavailable.
Arsenal team news
Arsenal could be without both Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
Mikel Arteta explained both players have been struggling for fitness over the past few weeks.
“We had some issues this week – well, in the last few weeks – as you’ve noticed, some players were unable to play and to participate in the games, with Reiss [Nelson,]” said Arteta on Friday.
“We have a little issue with Bukayo, which has been going on, and with Leo [Trossard]. The rest I think are going to be fine.”
Arsenal will definitely be without Gabriel Martinelli (ankle), Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) and William Saliba (back) for Sunday’s game.
Nelson, who missed last week’s defeat at Nottingham Forest due to illness, will hope to recover in time.