August 14th 2024.
As the new Premier League season approaches, Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating the team's first match against Wolves on Saturday. Mikel Arteta's side is determined to make a strong start and show their rivals that they mean business in the title race.
Fortunately, the Gunners have a mostly healthy squad as they head into their first game. They ended their pre-season with impressive victories over Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon, giving them a boost of confidence. However, one player who was absent from both matches was Jurrien Timber, sparking concerns about a potential injury. This is understandable, as Timber had missed most of his first season with the club due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He only made a comeback in May, on the final day of the season against Everton.
Unfortunately, Timber was dealing with a foot problem that kept him out of the final pre-season games. However, it is expected that he will return to training this week. On the other hand, Takehiro Tomiyasu will not be available for the match due to a knee issue. Arteta confirmed last weekend that the versatile defender will need a few more weeks to fully recover.
In the pre-season game against Lyon, Arsenal fans were able to catch a glimpse of their new signing, Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian international played for the final 25 minutes and will be hoping to make his competitive debut on Saturday. However, it is likely that Arteta will choose Oleksandr Zinchenko as his left-back, as the Ukrainian has been a consistent part of the starting back four in their recent matches.
Aside from Calafiori, the rest of the starting XI is expected to be similar to the team that gave Manchester City a tough competition last season. Kai Havertz, who ended the season as Arteta's top choice for the striker position, will most likely lead the attack. Metro has predicted the following starting XI for Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
For those wondering where to watch the match, it will kick off at 3pm on Saturday, August 17. Unfortunately, it will not be available to watch in the UK. But don't worry, we'll keep you updated with all the latest news, exclusives, and analysis on Arsenal. Just sign up and stay informed.
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