1# Unprecedented times
Saturday will be an occasion like no other, as it signals the first ever pause of the Premier League due to a World Cup. The big kick-off in Qatar comes in just one week – Sunday 20th November – and Wolves will want to sign off on a positive note going into that break. It’s during that period where Lopetegui will hope to get his teeth stuck into his new job. The Spaniard is checking in to Compton Park on Friday and will be unveiled to supporters before kick-off, which will have Molineux bubbling.
What’s gone before hasn’t been ideal, with Wolves winning two and drawing four of their 14 Premier League games, but with a new head coach in the building, there is optimism. He’ll have had a watching brief for the last two games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United and will have seen positives in those performances. However, his Sevilla side rarely shipped large amounts of goals, so the fact Wolves have let in three or more in three of their last four home Premier league games will be an area of focus straight away.
Lopetegui's landed! 👋 pic.twitter.com/vZBDfLpnMc
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 11, 2022
#2 Revolving right-back door
The right-back position has been one of inconsistency for Wolves this season, and that looks set to remain the case this weekend. Since Steve Davis took charge of the first-team, the individual in possession of the shirt has changed for all but one match between Nelson Semedo and Jonny. That only occasion was between the Brentford and Brighton fixtures, when Semedo retained his place, only to be sent off in the first half, which led to Jonny’s return on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup. In that same tie, the Spaniard was withdrawn through injury, opening the door for a first senior appearance for Dexter Lembikisa.
Semedo’s suspension was just one match, so he could return to the fore against the Gunners. Elsewhere on the pitch, Boubacar Traore staked a claim for a start by bagging a fine winner against Leeds, while the likes of Hugo Bueno, Adama Traore, Daniel Podence and Joao Moutinho may return, having started on the bench in the week. Matheus Nunes has missed the last two, but Davis confirmed he’s in the squad for the weekend. Lembikisa isn’t the only youngster who has been given an opportunity under Davis – Bueno, Joe Hodge and Chem Campbell have all had opportunities, so will the head coach take this final chance to give them more minutes?
#3 Off the mark before the World Cup
In the past week, a pair of new signings got off the mark in old gold in Goncalo Guedes and Boubacar. The Portuguese’s impressive run and finish levelled things up against Brighton, before Boubacar fired the winner against Leeds. They took Wolves goal scorers for the season to six – improved on a week ago – but there’s room for that number to grow. Hee Chan Hwang and Moutinho are amongst those still to get off the mark for the season, likewise other summer signings Nathan Collins and Nunes.
For Hwang and Nunes, a goal could serve as the best possible preparation for the World Cup, as they the forward links up with South Korea and midfielder with Portugal, alongside Jose Sa and Ruben Neves. For Moutinho, it’s a different situation. Portugal’s second most-capped international isn’t heading to Qatar, so will have full focus on Wolves, and may even have added motivation to show Fernando Santos what he’s missing.
#4 Gunning down the Arsenal
Arsenal have been flying in the league, and will be top for the World Cup, and therefore Christmas, should they win at Molineux, but they suffered a rare domestic loss in midweek. Mikel Arteta’s team selection indicated the league is the priority, with a much-changed line up losing to Brighton, meaning the Gunners’ Carabao Cup journey ended. In the Premier League, they’ve won six and drawn one of their last seven outings, and have conceded just four goals away from home, which is the best in the league.
However, Wolves will take heart from one stat – the five points Arsenal have dropped this season all came away from the Emirates Stadium. They were beaten at Manchester United in September, while more recently, the Gunners were held to a draw at Southampton last month. Arsenal’s team has generally picked itself when everyone is fit this season, with Arteta’s side a picture of consistency, however those waiting in the wings are struggling with injuries. Takehiro Tomiyasu is suffering with a muscle injury, while talented youngster Emile Smith Rowe remains out, having undergone surgery. However, Mohamed Elneny returned from a hamstring injury against Brighton in midweek. It’s likely Arsenal’s team will be unchanged from the victory at Chelsea last weekend, but Wolves will do everything possible top avoid the same result.
