Arsenal play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon looking to close the gap to fourth position in the standings.
Meanwhile, Wolves, playing their fourth successive away match in all competitions, are keen to build a clear margin between themselves and the bottom three.
Arsenal
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There have been times this season when Arsenal's supporters have been left optimistic about the future, despite their summer additions still looking to justify their respective price-tags and live up to their reputations.
However, as it stands, a number of factors have resulted in a mini-crisis at the Gunners, which has only intensified over the past week-and-a-half.
While failing to take advantage of holding leads against Crystal Palace and Liverpool will disappoint fans, the fallout from Granit Xhaka's angry outburst to sections of the stands cheering his substitution versus the latter will concern their followers.
There remains an uncertainty over who will hold the captain's armband, both in the short and long term, and Unai Emery is allegedly at odds with his squad over who should carry that responsibility.
Whether that is resolved before the meeting with Wolves remains to be seen, although Emery will have quickly become aware that he must provide the right answers on the pitch and behind the scenes.
Despite the Spaniard being able to point to the club still sitting in fifth position, another poor result could leave the North Londoners in mid-table, which would only increase the scrutiny of this opinion-dividing side.
Supporters will feel more encouraged with the recent contributions of club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now gone three Premier League outings without a goal.
Most of Arsenal's recent issues have come at the back, but those further forward also have a duty to deliver at the other end of the pitch if their team are to overcome their current struggles.
Recent form: DWDWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLWDD
Wolverhampton Wanderers
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Such has been Wolves' workload since the start of the season that Nuno Espirito Santo opted to rest the majority of his first-team squad for Wednesday's EFL Cup tie at Aston Villa.
However, while witnessing his side's eight-match undefeated streak in all competitions come to an end, the Portuguese may feel somewhat relieved to have extra dates off a packed schedule.
After visits to Slovakia and Newcastle, the short trip to Villa Park was Wolves' third away game in less than a week, and it has highlighted the need for Nuno to take precautions with the fitness of his squad.
The broken ankle suffered by Willy Boly was a freak occurrence, with the centre-back sustaining the injury via a slip rather than receiving any contact from a teammate, but it left Nuno in no doubt that it was time to hand a short break to his close-knit group of players ahead of another period of important games.
While some thought will already be being given to the upcoming contests with Slovan Bratislava and Villa next week, Nuno and his squad are aware that they have an opportunity to take advantage of Arsenal's recent slump.
Wolves have ambitions to achieve a second successive top-10 finish come the end of the season, but their current objective is to build some breathing space above the bottom three.
Only two wins have come from 10 outings in the Premier League this campaign, leaving the club just four points ahead of 18th-placed Southampton.
A seventh draw from 11 matches would be considered acceptable should it be earned this weekend, although there is a feeling that Wolves should be aiming for better, especially when victory would leave them just a point adrift of Saturday's opponents.
Recent form: LDWWDD
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWDL
Team News
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Emery is unlikely to name Xhaka in his starting lineup this weekend, meaning that Lucas Torreira is in line to start twice in the space of three days.
Having proven his fitness over the past five weeks, Hector Bellerin could also be provided with his first Premier League start since sustaining a serious knee injury in January.
Further forward, Dani Ceballos or Mesut Ozil will feature in the number 10 role, with Pepe, Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette completing the attack.
As for Wolves, Nuno could select the side which began the second half against Newcastle United last weekend, which would mean Leander Dendoncker starting on the right-hand side of a back three.
Matt Doherty and Adama Traore are likely to continue their partnership down the right flank, with Diogo Jota being used on the left instead of down the centre with Raul Jimenez.
While Ryan Bennett made his comeback from injury in midweek, the defender may not be risked from the start at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Bellerin, Sokratis, Luiz, Tierney; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ceballos, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Dendoncker, Coady, Saiss; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Traore, Jimenez, Jota
Head To Head
Saturday's encounter will represent the 115th competitive meeting between these two clubs, with Arsenal registering 57 wins in comparison to 30 victories for Wolves.
While Arsenal have only suffered one defeat in this fixture in the last 21 games, it came as recently as April when Wolves ran out 3-1 victors at Molineux.
However, the Gunners have recorded two wins and two draws from their last four home matches against this weekend's opponents.
We say: Arsenal 3-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
While neither side will be particularly satisfied with their form in recent weeks, we expect home advantage to prove decisive here. Arsenal are in a position where they need to produce for their supporters, and that extra desire could be enough to see off the challenge of Wolves.
Darren Plant
