Arsenal handed boost for Saturday after what two Wolves players did yesterday

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Wolves were dealt a brutal defeat at Fulham last night, and have now been handed a double blow ahead of their trip to face Arsenal on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side would already have been viewing the upcoming game at the Emirates as one which they are expected to win, but Monday night’s proceedings could not have gone better in terms of throwing Wolves off ahead of their trip to North London.

Former Arsenal flop Willian scored two penalties which were given in controversial circumstances, as Fulham recorded a 3-2 win over Gary O’Neil’s side, and Wolves are now set to be without a number of players.

Two Wolves stars are now suspended for Arsenal clash

Wolves lost two central midfield options in one night for their trip to Arsenal. Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes began the game one yellow card away from suspension, and both were carded during their defeat to Marco Silva’s side.

Both will now serve one-game suspensions, with both players missing out on the match at the Emirates, in what will be a huge boost for Arsenal.

Lemina has started all but one game in central midfield, and has mostly played alongside Gomes, who has started 11 out of 13 league games this season.

Wolves often line up with a midfield three ahead of a back three, with Lemina and Gomes making up two of the trio, and they will need to find a solution ahead of Saturday after losing two starters.

Arsenal need to take advantage of Wolves absences

Lemina and Gomes both bring speed, physicality and passing ability to the Wolves midfield, and losing the pair could seriously disrupt their ability to perform as a team unit.

Arsenal need to now make sure they take advantage, and there should be no excuses to not dominate the central zones during Saturday’s game.

Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard look almost certain to start, and Kai Havertz could be given an opportunity in midfield following his goal against Brentford.

His performances as a central midfielder have been disappointing overall, but he could add physicality to the middle with Lemina out, and give Arsenal the chance to overwhelm Wolves in their half.

Arsenal have been criticised for not creating enough this season, and Saturday’s game will be a good chance to silence these critics and deliver a convincing win against a severely weakened team fresh from a last-minute defeat.