Arsenal vs Wolves prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2024-08-16 14:00.
[p]Having finished just two points behind Premier League champions Manchester City last season, Arsenal will know they need to hit the ground running, as they did last season when winning seven of their first ten league matches (D3), if they are to end their two-decade wait to lift the Premier League trophy. The Gunners, who have now finished second in each of their last two campaigns, have strengthened their squad this summer by signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, while goalkeeper David Raya has made his loan from Brentford a permanent move.[/p]
[p]With more arrivals likely, supporters will be optimistic they can finally lift that elusive English crown. Arsenal will also be buoyed by a largely positive set of pre-season fixtures which were rounded off by a 2-0 win over Lyon last weekend, a game in which manager Mikel Arteta said his team played at the “highest level” as they lifted the Emirates Cup for an eighth time.[/p]
[p]The North London club will be hoping to continue that form against visitors Wolves, whose fans are still reeling from Pedro Neto’s big-money move to Chelsea. His departure may be offset by the arrival of Jørgen Strand Larsen on loan from Celta Vigo, and Rodrigo Gomes, a 22-year old Portugal U21 international who has netted in friendly victories over West Ham and RB Leipzig since signing from Braga.[/p]
[p]Manager Gary O’Neil will be desperate to see that goalscoring form continue, especially given his side saw their quest for European qualification fall away dramatically last season by winning just one of their final ten league outings (D2, L7). Fans may be forgiven for fearing the worst though, as Wolves have beaten Arsenal away across any competition just once since 1979 (D4, L10), and even that victory in 2020 was behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has scored more goals against Wolves than any other opposition, netting four times in six H2Hs (W6). Battling him for the limelight will be Strand Larsen, who has been on target in his side’s first league fixture in two of the last three campaigns.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Arsenal have not drawn their opening Premier League game since 2012 (W6, L5).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]