Arsenal vs Wolves LIVE: Gunners begin Premier League title push with tricky home tie – kick-off time, team news and how to watch

Arsenal begin their 2024/25 Premier League campaign this weekend with a home draw against Wolves.

The Gunners will be hoping this is finally the year they win. Manchester City to the first division title after finishing second the last two seasons.

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Mikel Arteta He has enjoyed some epic battles with his former mentor, Pep Guardiolabut the latter has always done enough to win the league.

But there will be plenty of optimism surrounding the north London giants this year, with the team looking in fine form.

Meanwhile, Wolves rewarded Gary O'Neil with a high-quality new contract after a great first year at Molineux.

The Old Gold were expected to struggle but finished comfortably in mid-table and will be looking to build on that and crack the top ten this time around.

Arsenal vs Wolves: The kings of set pieces

There is no doubt that Arsenal They are the most powerful team in set pieces in the fight for the top.

Last year, 20 of his goals came from set pieces, with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka Often delivering excellent balls into the box.

The Gunners also possess plenty of height throughout their squad, with Arteta able to name a starting XI consisting of six outfielders over 6ft.

In addition, they have an ingenious trainer in Nicolás Jover, who has provided them with excellent routines that make the difference.

Set pieces are often ignored by some teams, so if Arsenal can score even more from these situations this season, they should have another strong chance at the title.

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• Arsenal have won each of their last six Premier League games against Wolves, their longest winning run against them in the competition (also six in a row between 2003 and 2011).
• Wolverhampton Wanderers have won just one of their last 13 top-flight visits to Arsenal (D4 L8), winning 2-1 at the Emirates in November 2020 under Nuno Espírito Santo.
• Arsenal have scored in each of their last 33 meetings with Wolves in all competitions, dating back to a 1-0 home defeat in February 1979. It is the Gunners' longest scoring run against a single opponent and Wolves' longest run without conceding against a single team in their respective histories.

Arsenal vs Wolves: Date and how to watch

This Premier League match is scheduled for Saturday, August 17.

Kick-off at the Emirates is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, due to the 3pm TV blackout, this game will not be broadcast in the UK.

Highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app and YouTube channel shortly after the end of the match, while Match of the Day will also feature highlights on the evening.

talkSPORT will be bringing regular updates from North London on GameDay Live with Adrian Durham, Troy Deeney and Dean Ashton.

To tune in to talkSPORT via the website, Click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through talkSPORT Appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

• Arsenal have won 16 of their 18 Premier League games so far in 2024 (D1 L1), comfortably their highest win rate in a calendar year in their league history (89%). They have also scored 54 goals in these games (3 per game) and conceded just nine (0.5 per game).
• Wolves have lost five of their last six Premier League games in 2023-24 (W1), including the last three in a row. They last had a longer losing run between May and August 2021 – the last three of 2020-21 and the first three of 2021-22.
• William Saliba has been on the winning side in 49 of his 65 Premier League games for Arsenal. If he plays and wins this game, he will be the quickest Gunners player to reach 50 wins in the competition (currently Nacho Monreal, 70 games).
• Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves (4) than he has against any other opponent. However, three of his four goals against them have come away from home.

Arsenal vs Wolves: team news

The Gunners have some injury concerns heading into the campaign, with Takehiro Tomiyasu will remain on the sidelines for a few weeks.

Jurrien Timber suffered a foot injury during preseason but is expected to be fine for this game.

Meanwhile, Fabio Vieira has a hip problem and is doubtful.

New signing Ricardo Calafiori He is likely to be on the bench but could make his debut after joining from Bologna.

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Meanwhile, Wolves could give their new recruits their debut.

Tommy Doyle has joined permanently from Manchester City after a successful loan spell last year, while Rodrigo Gomes, Pedro Lima and Jorgen Strand Larsen will all be eager to play.

Peter Neto and Max Kilman have left for big money, leaving Wolves short in some areas.

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• Arsenal have won their opening Premier League game in each of the last two seasons, beating Crystal Palace in 2022-23 and Nottingham Forest last season. The last time the Gunners started their season with a win was in three straight seasons between 2007-08 and 2009-10.
• Wolves have lost their opening Premier League game in each of the last three seasons. They have never started a league season with a defeat in four consecutive seasons in their history.
• This is the first time Arsenal have started their Premier League campaign with a 3pm Saturday kick-off since the 2013-14 season, when they lost 3-1 at home to Aston Villa. It is also the second time in the last 21 campaigns that a team that finished in the top two the previous season has played their opening game at that time, after reigning champions Chelsea lost 3-2 at home to Burnley in 2017-18.

Arsenal vs Wolves: What's been said?

talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham believes Arsenal will win the Premier League this season, but if they don't, he thinks it could be time for Arteta to move on.

He said“I think Arsenal will win the title, and I think if they don't, they probably need to look elsewhere for a manager.

“Because we can look at Arteta and keep talking about how he won the FA Cup in his first season. There's a bit of luck in that. And the FA Cup is not a sign of greatness.

“When we talk about sealing the title, they are on the brink, on the brink. But they have been there for two seasons now. They completely screwed up in that first season and last season, they had it in their hands.

“Manchester City kept winning relentlessly but Arsenal needed to do exactly the same to take the title and they didn't. They lost at home to Aston Villa. So I think they have to do something very, very special this season but I think that team is capable of doing it.

“The concern I have with Arteta is that all this… Things about pickpockets And all that, and we've seen the documentary and how intense it is in the dressing room. It's good to be that intense if you're Pep Guardiola and you're winning things season after season.

“But can those players maintain that level of intensity and withstand all that Arteta has to offer if he doesn't lead them to a major trophy? If it doesn't happen again this season, are they going to think something is wrong here? We can't keep giving it our all.”