Calafiori debut, Trossard starts? Is this the strongest line-up Arteta fields for the Arsenal versus Wolves league opener?

By Danong

The Premier League is finally back after a protracted wait. Our Gunners, who host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium, will be trying to build on where they left off last season.

Given that the Gunners have won all of their last three Premier League home games against Wolves, there is cause to assume that this continue. Still Mikel Arteta would have to field the strongest team he can in order to maximise the chances to achieve it.

I certainly expect David Raya to start on goal.

Ben White at right-back, William Saliba and Gabriel at central defence, and the new boy, Ricardo Calafiori if fit, can take over at left-back to make the Arsenal back 4. Otherwise Zinchenko will get the nod.

Had Mikel Merino joined, he would have been in contention to start in midfield, but he hasn't. So I expect Thomas Partey to start as a 6, while Declan Rice plays as the LCM and Martin Odegaard as the RCM. This is a really strong midfield.

I anticipate Gabriel Martinelli to be on the left with Trossard ready to come on when needed. Bukayo Saka on the right, and Kai Havertz to spearhead the offensive, forming a formidable attacking trio.
The line up:

Raya
White-Saliba-Gabriel-Zinchenko/ Calafiori
Partey-Rice-Odegaard
Saka-Havertz-Martinelli

On paper and if Calafiori starts Arteta could field the strongest Arsenal line-up we might ever see this season.

This is a team capable of putting up a dominant display for a big win against the Wolves to kick off the 2024–25 campaign in style.

Last season, laxity in the first half of the campaign cost the Gunners the title. This time round, with redemption in mind, after missing out on the league title by 2 points on the last day of last season, getting off to a bright start is key.