Arsenal vs Wolves Prediction: The Gunners are looking to rediscover last year’s sparkle

Arsenal welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon (15:00). The Gunners are currently leading the way in the top-flight and they will look to maintain their position at the top of the table with a victory over Wolves.

We've picked out a couple of the best markets on offer to punters in this clash.

Arsenal may be top of the league like they were at this stage last season, but they are certainly not as entertaining right now as they were a year ago. Mikel Arteta's squad last season were exciting and looked like a team capable of winning a league title.

The current side doesn't have the same rhythm in attack which has many people concerned, but a positive is that they are able to pick up results when not at their best - take last week's win over Brentford for example. They always say those are the signs of would-be champions, but no one can question that the Gunners need to improve their performances because the way they are currently playing is unlikely to be sustainable in a title race.

The Gunners have 30 points from 13 games this year, four points shy of their total at this stage last year. One thing that has punters concerned about Arsenal right now is the output of the front four, with many criticising the lack of an experienced number nine as Ivan Toney has been linked with  a move to the club in recent months.

Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard were in incredible form last term as they each reached double digits for goals in the Premier League. At this point last year, the trio had scored 15 between them. This year, that tally is eight. There is no question that they are not quite hitting the same levels as an attack as they were in 2022-23.

That being said, Saka currently has the same number of goals (four) as he did a year ago. Martinelli and Odegaard, however, are four and three goals shy respectively. It could be implied that Granit Xhaka's departure in the summer has had a real impact on the pitch, with no one being able to replicate his form from last year in the left number eight role, as Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Fabio Vieira have all been deployed there by Arteta this campaign.

Arsenal head into this one with confidence after their late victory at Brentford last weekend. But they will face a Wolves side who have been causing problems in the top-flight and they will be fired up for this one after being let down by VAR in their Monday night defeat at Fulham.

Match Odds

The Gunners are the favourites to pick up the victory here at the short price of 2/7. You can back a draw at 9/2, while Wolves are 9/1 to cause an upset.

Both teams to score in this one is 11/10. Over 2.5 goals is valued at 8/13.

Team News

The hosts are going to be without Jurrien Timber, Emile Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe due to injury.

Wolves are going to have a few absentees for the trip to the Emirates. Pedro Neto and Joe Hodge are out injured, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is a doubt. Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes are both unavailable due to suspension.

Both teams to score @ 11/10

These two sides have shown that they can find the back of the net this season. Arsenal and Wolves have scored 27 and 23 goals respectively in the Premier League so far. They have only both failed to score in one league game this term, which would suggest that they can both get on the scoresheet this weekend.

Wolves have scored against both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur this season which shows that they are not fazed when coming up against the bigger clubs. Brentford had chances to punish Arsenal mistakes last week but didn't. You get the feeling that Wolves will seize the opportunities that are presented so both teams to score here offers good value.

Gabriel Martinelli to score anytime @ 9/5

Following on from earlier, Martinelli's form has been quite concerning of late as he has not been as explosive as he was last year. He has scored just once in the Premier League so far but it was a big one, the winner against Manchester City - yes we know it was hugely deflected.

The Brazilian will be desperate to try and reclaim the magic that saw him light up the top-flight in 2022-23 and although the goals haven't been coming, Arteta is showing his faith in him by continuing to start him in matches.

It has nearly been two months since his solitary goal in the league and we think that Wolves will provide him with an excellent opportunity to get his season up and running.