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Arsenal team news: Predicted 4-2-3-1 line up vs Wolves – Xhaka dropped, Ozil decision
Arsenal manager Unai Emery will not select Granit Xhaka when the Gunners face Wolves at the Emirates this afternoon (3pm).
Unai Emery has confirmed that Granit Xhaka will not feature for Arsenal when they return to Premier League action against Wolves.
The Gunners captain reacted angrily as he was jeered off during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, gesturing at the crowd before removing his shirt and storming down the tunnel.
Xhaka was subsequently left out of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool – which ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat after a 5-5 draw at Anfield – and will not play against Wolves this afternoon.
When asked about Xhaka in his pre-match press conference, Emery said: "He is training.
"He didn’t play in Liverpool for me he is continuing, above all [we are] focusing on tomorrow.”
Xhaka subsequently apologised to fans for his actions in a lengthy social media post but will be kept out of the firing line by his manager for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Emery has a key decision to make regarding Mesut Ozil with the former Germany international impressing in midweek on his first appearance since the previous round of the Carabao Cup.
The Arsenal boss was pleased with Ozil’s contribution at Anfield and the mercurial midfielder could be deployed in the No 10 role, flanked by Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazatte will lead the line despite Gabriel Martinelli’s two goals against Liverpool while Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira will sit in front of the back four.
Kieran Tierney should replace Sead Kolasinac at left-back but it remains to be seen if Hector Bellerin or Calum Chambers will start on the opposite side of defence.
Bellerin was captain in midweek but has only just returned from injury so may not be risked from the off against Wolves – likewise, Rob Holding is unlikely to displace David Luiz or Sokratis Papastathopoulos in central defence.
Bernd Leno will replace Emiliano Martinez between the posts while Reiss Nelson is the only confirmed injury concern for Arsenal as he struggles with a knee problem, although Kolasinac, Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all limped off at Anfield.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – Premier League
(4-2-3-1): Leno; Chambers, Sokratis, Luiz, Tierney; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette