Mikel Arteta praised Bukayo Saka's willingness to take on new challenges as Arsenal prepare to face Wolves, in their next test on the road to a potential Premier League title.

After a 1-1 draw with Brentford in their last league game, the Gunners regained some momentum with a 4-0 win against Wigan Athletic in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Saka, who was initially named on the bench for that match, was called up as a late starter and featured in a number 10 role as Myles Lewis-Skelly moved to left-back in place of the injured Riccardo Calafiori, after the Italian pulled up during the warm-up.

The England international impressed in that new role, linking up well with Noni Madueke, who started on the right wing.

Saka has continued to make headlines in the lead-up to Wednesday's trip to Wolves, with the 24-year-old reportedly agreeing a new five-year deal to make him the club's highest-paid player. 

When asked whether Saka could play centrally more often, Arteta said: "Yes, depending on the options that we have available, we will try to be as good as possible. 

"We have another opportunity, another option there, which is great.

"I think he does [enjoy playing there], that brings a challenge to him. Anything where he needs to prove something, that ticks something in him, and I think that’s a positive.

"Circumstances with players as well... it sometimes forces you to do certain things. Now we have issues with midfielders, and players are stepping in.

"Bukayo stepped in, and his case is one we have to consider for the future, but it’s really good – especially the way players respond to different types of roles in the manner that they’re doing."

As Arsenal look to build a seven-point lead over Manchester City, Wolves are almost certainly doomed to relegation and will simply hope to avoid breaking the record for the fewest points in a Premier League season (currently eight, Derby County had 11 in 2007-08).

They are currently 18 points adrift of safety and without a win in their last six league games.

However, after they only lost 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the reverse fixture, with two own goals going against them, Rob Edwards is hoping his side will gain encouragement.

"We're certainly able to lean on it and use it for elements of the game," said the Wolves boss.

"It'll be a different night, and it'll be a different game, but there'll be parts of it that we can lean on and learn from, definitely.

"I liked the character that we showed [in the away game]. I liked the fact that heads didn't go down once we were 1-0 down.

"The actual plan overall on the night was quite a clear one for people to be able to see. But the lads actioned it really well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolves – Tolu Arokodare

Arokodare scored his first Premier League goal in the reverse fixture against Arsenal, impressing off the bench against the league leaders.

His other Premier League goal was Wolves' most recent, which came in their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea on February 7.

Arsenal – Noni Madueke

Madueke, who has scored in his last two away league games, has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves than any other opponent.

His four goals versus Wolves account for 27% of his total in the competition (4/15).

MATCH PREDICTION – ARSENAL WIN

Since doing the double over Arsenal in 2020-21, Wolves have now lost each of their last nine against the Gunners in the Premier League.

Arsenal have won nine of their 11 away league games against Wolves in the top flight (L2), their highest win rate against any side they have faced 10+ times on the road (82%).

The Gunners have also scored in each of their last 36 meetings with Wolves in all competitions. In competitive English football history, only Wrexham have had a longer scoring streak against an opponent (49 matches vs Darlington between 1929 and 1961).

Wolves have lost 16 of their 20 Premier League games against sides starting the day top of the table (W3 D1), beating Manchester United in January 2004 and February 2011, and Manchester City in September 2023. Those two wins against Man Utd came while they were bottom of the table, however.

Wolves have also lost 10 of their 13 Premier League home games this season (W1 D2), with only Southampton last season reaching 10 home losses in fewer games (12).

They have only lost more home games in a single top-flight season twice before – 11 in 1964-65 and 13 in 2011-12.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Wolves – 10.4%

Draw – 13.5%

Arsenal – 76.0%