Arsenal will start their journey in this year's Premier League with a home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a burning desire to claim the top spot. Mikel Arteta's team, which secured a close second-place finish last season, is ready to pose a stiff challenge to defending champions Manchester City and claim the much-coveted trophy. With notable transfer moves this summer including the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya, Arsenal is looking to build on its strong defensive line and repeat the success of their impressive pre-season games.
Arsenal Begin Premier League Campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers
As the highly anticipated new Premier League season approaches, Arsenal will kick off their title chase with a home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 12th. The Gunners, under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, will be eager to build on their impressive second-place finish last season and challenge defending champions Manchester City for the coveted trophy.
Transfer Activity and Squad Expectations
Arsenal has been active in the transfer market this summer, notably securing the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford. This move strengthens their defensive line, which played a crucial role in their success during the pre-season. Other key signings include center back Jakub Kiwior from Spezia and winger Leandro Trossard from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Past Encounters and Notable Players
Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers have a long history in the Premier League, with Arsenal holding a dominant record of 18 wins, 11 draws, and 10 defeats in their 39 previous encounters. Some notable past players who have featured in this fixture include:
Top 5 FAQs
1. What time and where is the match being played? A. August 12th, 2023, 3:00 PM at the Emirates Stadium, London.
2. What is the expected starting lineup for Arsenal? A. Possible lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.
3. Who is the captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers? A. Ruben Neves.
4. What is the recent form of Wolverhampton Wanderers? A. Have won four of their last five pre-season games, including victories over Alaves and Sporting Lisbon.
5. What are the betting odds for the match? A. Arsenal are favored to win at approximately 1.50 odds, while Wolverhampton Wanderers are underdogs at approximately 5.00 odds.
Pakistan fought back from a poor start with the help of Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan, who were both unbeaten at the end of a fog-hit opening day of the first Test against the West Indies. Shakeel and Rizwan's partnership of 97 after coming together at 46/4 helped Pakistan reach a respectable 143/4, with fast bowler Jayden Seales initially causing trouble for the home team. The dry and grassless pitch of the Multan Stadium is expected to favor spin in the next two days, prompting Pakistan to choose to bat first after winning the toss. However, play was postponed due to early morning fog and poor air quality, resulting in a delayed first session. Shakir and Rizwan's confident performance against a three-spinner West Indies attack was crucial for Pakistan's comeback, with Seales finishing with 3/21.
There have been rumors circulating about India cricketer Rinku Singh getting engaged to Lok Sabha MP Priya Saroj, but her father has denied these reports. However, he has now revealed that Rinku's family has sent a marriage proposal and they are seriously considering it. Rinku, a regular in India's T20I team and a member of the 2023 World Cup winning squad, is set to return to action with the upcoming T20I series against England. On the other hand, Priya is a first-time MP and the daughter of a three-time MP and current MLA. Her father had initially wanted her to become a judge, but now she could be joining a family of politicians through marriage.
The rivalry between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam continues to fuel debates among cricket fans. However, when we compare their stats after 123 ODI matches, Kohli edges out Babar with 5,154 runs and 17 centuries. Not far behind, Babar has scored 5,957 runs and 19 centuries. Kohli has been dismissed for a duck on 8 occasions, while Babar has been out for a golden duck only 4 times. Their performance against some of the top teams such as Australia, England, and West Indies is also compared in this statistical analysis.
Four elite Indian athletes were recognized for their outstanding performances and achievements in the field of sports by President Droupadi Murmu. The prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was presented to D. Gukesh, Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar, acknowledging their significant contributions to India’s success in various international events. Along with these four honorees, 32 athletes were also awarded with the Arjuna Award during the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025.
The highly anticipated Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to begin on February 14th, with five teams competing for the title. Mumbai Indians, the 2023 champions, will be looking to make a strong comeback after their defeat in the eliminator last year. Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and star player Nat Sciver-Brunt, the team will play their first match against Delhi Capitals at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Fans can expect to see exciting matches at four different venues, including Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai.
Manchester City has secured the long-term future of star striker Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian phenom signing a new nine-and-a-half year contract with the club. The 20-year-old, who has been in scintillating form since joining in January, expressed his excitement about the deal, while also providing details on his scoring stats and goals-to-minute ratio. In other football news, Pep Guardiola will be holding a press conference with updates on the team, while Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has shared that it has been difficult to find a striker in the market.
President Droupadi Murmu honoured some of the country's top athletes with the prestigious sports award - Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This award is given every year to recognise and reward excellence in sports and is given to sportspersons for their outstanding performance in their respective fields over a period of four years. This year's recipients include the youngest-ever World Chess Champion Gukesh D, Paris Olympics and Paralympics medallists Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar. Additionally, 17 para-athletes were also honoured with the Arjuna Award, which is given for outstanding performance in sports and games with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.
Murlikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medallist, received the Arjuna Award after 52 years of his historic achievement. Sajid Nadiadwala produced the film Chandu Champion, which depicts Petkar's story, and the athlete expressed his gratitude towards Nadiadwala, director Kabir Khan, and actor Kartik for bringing his inspiring journey to the big screen. Petkar's multi-sport career and his success in para-swimming serve as a testament to his determination and serve as an inspiration for many in the country.
After leading Man Utd to a crucial 2-1 victory over Man City, manager Ruben Amorim plans to shake up the team's roster and is reportedly looking to offload keeper Andre Onana. With the Cameroonian failing to impress under his tenure, Amorim has identified Nice's Marcin Bulka as the ideal replacement. Man Utd are willing to pay 20 million euros for the Polish goalkeeper, who is poised to become a key player at Old Trafford.
In an intense and entertaining match, Real Madrid bounced back after a disappointing loss in the Spanish Super Cup to defeat Celta Vigo and secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. Despite conceding two late goals, Madrid fought until the end with young star Endrick scoring twice in extra-time to seal the victory. The match showcased Madrid's fighting spirit, but also highlighted ongoing concerns over their defensive capabilities.