Arsenal begins their 2024-25 Premier League season by welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are determined to break a two-decade hiatus from the top of the Premier League, having finished as runners-up to Manchester City in the last two seasons. The anticipation is palpable as fans hope this could finally be Arsenal’s year.
Last season, Wolves proved to be a challenging opponent for Arsenal, coming close in both encounters. At the Emirates, Arsenal initially surged ahead with two early goals but faced a tense finish due to an 86th-minute goal from Matheus Cunha. The Gunners managed to secure a 2-0 victory at Molineux in the spring, with goals from Leandro Trossard and Martin Ødegaard.
Starting strong is crucial for Arsenal, especially with the competition at the top being so fierce. Any mistakes could have significant consequences as the season progresses. With Manchester City and Liverpool expected to drop some points throughout the season, Arsenal aims to capitalize on matches at home against teams likely to finish in the lower half of the table.
This season, Arsenal’s schedule poses a substantial challenge, as after facing Wolves, they will play away against Aston Villa, then host a potentially tough Brighton side before taking on Spurs and Manchester City on the road. While a poor performance in these games wouldn’t spell disaster, falling behind early could impact the team’s confidence moving forward. Conversely, if they perform well, it could provide them with a significant boost.
As they prepare for the match against Wolves, Arsenal knows the importance of not underestimating any opponent, regardless of their status. Wolves have lost key players Pedro Neto and Max Kilman but have brought in younger talent eager to prove themselves. Manager Gary O’Neil is known for his pragmatic approach and will likely set his team up to be difficult to break down.
Wolves face some selection dilemmas as Matheus Cunha, Jorgen Strand Larsen, and Daniel Podence are dealing with fitness issues, leaving them with a weakened squad. Additionally, experienced player Nelson Semedo will be out for the first three games due to suspension following a red card last season.
On Arsenal’s side, most players are fit for the season opener. While Fabio Vieira is nursing a minor hip issue and may not be included in the matchday squad, Jurrien Timber is available after previously managing a foot problem. Unfortunately, Takehiro Tomiyasu is sidelined for a few weeks due to a knee injury, and Kieran Tierney is still recovering from a hamstring tear.
Kick-off details for the match are as follows:
Who: Arsenal vs Wolverhampton
What: Premier League Match Week 1
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Saturday, August 17th, 7 am PT | 10 am ET | 3 pm BST
How to Watch: Broadcast live on the USA Network and streaming available on NBCSports.com. For additional international streaming options, refer to LiveSoccerTV.com. Please refrain from discussing illegal streams.