The curtain of the 2022/23 campaign closes at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and wolves.co.uk presents the main Talking Points.
#1 Another final day tough test
Sunday’s trip to the Emirates follows a long line of tough final day fixtures for Wolves in the Premier League. For the fourth time in the last five years the Old Gold are facing the side which has finished second in the league. Two trips to Liverpool, who were pipped to the title by Manchester City on both occasions, came either side the visit of Manchester United, who’d also finished below City in 2021. Those clashes, along with Chelsea away in 2020, have all resulted in defeats, so a change in fortunes on the final day will be a target for Wolves.
They are the current lowest scorers in the Premier League with 31 goals, but can at least avoid an unwanted record by hitting the back of the net on Sunday. A goalless 90 minutes would leave Wolves on their lowest ever tally in the Premier League and Julen Lopetegui’s side are without a goal in their last two away games. The last time Wolves took a point on their travels was at Nottingham Forest at the start of April, but Daniel Podence’s late equaliser proved crucial in their season. Like Forest, Wolves have claimed 30 points at home – comfortably better than their away haul – and adding to the two away wins picked up at Everton and Southampton will be the aim on the final day in the capital.
#2 Opportunity for others to impress?
Against the Toffees last week, Lopetegui rang the changes – six was the most made by the club in the Premier League since Mick McCarthy in December 2009 – so could we be set for something similar this time around? Nathan Collins, Joao Gomes and Pablo Sarabia were amongst those recalled, as well Adama Traore and Hee Chan Hwang, who combined for Wolves’ goal on the day. Hugo Bueno and Raul Jimenez were amongst those left on the bench against the Toffees, so could become an option at the Emirates.
For Arsenal, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko have both had impressive seasons, but have missed out in recent weeks due to injury and won’t feature on Sunday. Whether Mikel Arteta will continue with his regular performers during the title push or offering opportunities to others will be revealed at 3.30pm on Sunday.
#3 The final opportunity
During his pre-match media duties, Nelson Semedo, unsurprisingly, highlighted the arrival of Lopetegui has the turning point in Wolves’ season. It was the first fixture against the Gunners at Molineux back in November where the Spaniard first cast an eye over the group he was inheriting in person. Unveiled to Molineux pre-match to an incredible reception, Lopetegui took his seat in the stand to watch his new team battle for long periods – and suffer VAR frustrations – before eventually being beaten by Martin Odegaard’s brace after the interval. Since then, Wolves have improved and got the points to survive with three games to spare. Arsenal were flying high at the summit at the time, and remained in pole position until April, when Manchester City eventually got the upper hand, which they never relinquished.
For the Gunners, second place is secured, with breathing space over City and Manchester United in third. Mathematically, Wolves could finish anywhere between 11th and 15th. A win could lift the Old Gold above Chelsea and Crystal Palace – although extremely unlikely due to goal difference. Dropped points opens the door for West Ham United or AFC Bournemouth to perform the leapfrog on Wolves. It was 13th where Wolves finished in the 2020/21 campaign, so a positive result would prove an improved position from lockdown football.
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— Wolves (@Wolves) May 25, 2023
#4 Meeting the Gunners
Wolves have a mixed record at the Emirates but have always given the hosts a tough test. Since returning to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves have drawn twice, won one and lost the other. After consecutive 1-1 draws in North London, with goals from Ivan Cavaleiro in 2018 and Raul Jimenez in 2019, Wolves got their win the following year. Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence hit the back of the net in a 2-1 win, which was overshadowed by Jimenez’s sickening head injury. Last season an injury time own goal from Jose Sa earned Arsenal a rare Emirates win over Wolves. That win was the middle of three consecutive Arenal successes over Wolves in the Premier League, after they’d not won in the previous eight.
Arsenal have won 13 of their 18 home games in the Premier League, putting them fourth in the home league table, and until April they were unbeaten on home soil. They have stuttered in recent weeks however, with back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest being their most recent fixtures. Bottom side Southampton also got a point at the Emirates last month and Wolves will be hoping for a positive end to what has been a testing campaign.
