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• Arteta keen to set opening day tone for Premier League success against Wolves

  Mikel Arteta is hoping for a fast start as Arsenal begin their quest for the Premier League title when they welcome Wolves to the Emirates on Saturday. 

  Arteta's side concluded their pre-season preparations with a comfortable 2-0 win over Lyon last week, with William Saliba and Gabriel on target in the first half. 

  And the Gunners head coach explained that his side must set the tone in the opening exchanges against Gary O'Neil's side in North London. 

  "Look at today with the way we started, for sure. It’s about maintaining that for 95 minutes and that’s the target and objectives that we need to have," Arteta said after the win over the French side. 

  "There’s a lot of positives to take from today’s performance again.

  "I think overall it's been a really positive pre-season with the tour and the club and a lot of people put a lot of effort into making it work. I think it was a success again."

  Wolves, meanwhile, will be hoping to improve on a dismal end to the 2023-24 season, but face a side they have failed to beat in the Premier League since February 2021.

  O'Neil's side lost five of their last six league games (W1), including the last three in a row, concluding their pre-season fixtures with a 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano at Molineux last Saturday.  

  “Next week is a big one for me to make sure the lads are ready for the Premier League and next week is a big one for us in the transfer market," O'Neil said.  

  "We’ve made another £100m this summer, we made £100m last summer, and that does provide its challenges to keep the team staying competitive and keep the team as strong as it once was four or five years ago.

  “We’re trying to get it back to that, but with a very different make-up behind the scenes that we’re working to. But I enjoy those challenges a lot.”

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Arsenal - Martin Odegaard

  Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard enjoyed his joint-most prolific season for the Gunners last year, netting 11 goals and adding 11 assists across 48 appearances in all competitions. 

  Odegaard has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves (four) than he has against any other opponent, but three of those have come away from the Emirates. 

  The Norwegian will hope to have an effect at the top end of the pitch, with his 102 chances that he created for the Gunners last year a total only bettered by Pascal Gross (103) and Bruno Fernandes (114). 

  Wolves - Matheus Cunha

  With Pedro Neto's transfer to Chelsea confirmed last week, last year's top scorer in all competitions, Matheus Cunha will pose a significant threat to Arsenal's defence. 

  Cunha contributed 22 goal involvements (14 goals and eight assists) in 36 appearances last year, registering the highest expected goals (xG) total in the Wolves squad in the Premier League (9.49). 

  The Brazilian scored in his last visit to North London in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal and will be hoping to continue his scoring streak at the Emirates this weekend. 

  MATCH PREDICTION: ARSENAL WIN

  Arsenal are the clear favourites to start their campaign with three points, winning 76.4% of Opta's data-led simulations, with Wolves emerging victorious in 9.5% of those. 

  The Gunners have won each of their last six Premier League encounters with Wolves, their joint-longest winning run against them (also six in a row from 2003 to 2011).

  Arteta has won his opening Premier League fixture in each of the last two seasons, with another victory securing three consecutive opening day triumphs for the first time since between 2007-08 and 2009-10. 

  Arsenal have scored in each of their last 33 meetings with Wolves in all competitions, last failing to do so since a 1-0 home defeat in February 1979. 

  It’s both the Gunners’ longest scoring streak against an opponent, and Wolves’ longest run without a clean sheet against a side in their respective histories.

  But O'Neil will be hopeful of changing his side's opening day fortunes. Wolves have lost their opening Premier League game in each of the last three seasons and have never started a league season with defeat in four seasons in a row in their history.

  Wolves have also won just one of their last 13 away top-flight visits to Arsenal (D4 L8), winning 2-1 at the Emirates in November 2020 under Nuno Espirito Santo.

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

  Arsenal - 76.4%

  Draw - 14%

  Wolves - 9.5%

• 'Wagga' Hunt Football Classic set for Saturday at UWI Mona bowl

  The 2024 edition of the David “Wagga” Hunt Football Classic is set to kick off this Saturday, August 17, at the UWI Mona Bowl, promising an afternoon of thrilling football action and a celebration of legacy. The event, now in its 14th year, will feature three highly anticipated matchups that highlight the enduring impact of David "Wagga" Hunt on Jamaican football and his commitment to youth development.

   The day’s activities will begin at 2:00 PM with a clash between the UWI Pelicans and St. Georges Masters, setting the stage for what promises to be an action-packed event. Following this, the home team August Town, representing the Super League, will face off against Premier League giants Harbour View. The excitement will reach its peak with the feature match at 4:30 PM, as Kingston College takes on their long-time rivals, Calabar High School, in a preseason classic that is sure to ignite the competitive spirit of both teams.

  

   The David "Wagga" Hunt Football Classic is more than just a series of football matches; it is a tribute to the late David “Wagga” Hunt, a revered figure in Jamaican football. Hunt, an alumnus of Kingston College, is best remembered for his transformative work at Calabar High School, where he revived the football program and led the team to its first Manning Cup and Olivier Shield titles in 28 years in 2005. His mantra, “We can be rivals, not enemies,” exemplified the sportsmanship and unity he championed throughout his career. Since his untimely passing in 2007, the Classic has served as a platform to preserve his legacy and continue his mission of empowering youth through sport.

   The Football Classic is a crucial event for the David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation, which was established in 2008 by Hunt’s family and friends to support needy students from Kingston College and Calabar High School. The Foundation’s scholarship program, which began in 2009, awards two grade eight students from each school with a scholarship valued at J$150,000.00 annually, covering books, lunch, and other related expenses through to grade 13. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded 46 scholarships totaling J$22.4 million, along with an additional J$4 million in direct support to the schools. Each scholarship recipient also receives a computer to aid in their studies. Selection criteria for the scholarships include financial need, academic performance, participation in sports or extracurricular activities, attendance, deportment, and discipline, ensuring that the recipients embody the values that Hunt held dear.

  

   The Football Classic is part of a trio of events organized by the David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation each year, alongside the prestigious Red Carpet Fundraising Ball in Washington, D.C., and the Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony in Jamaica. Christopher Hunt, David’s brother, spearheads the Foundation’s efforts from Washington, leading the Diaspora team behind the Red Carpet Ball. Meanwhile, the Jamaica Organizing Team, led by Co‐Chair Arnold “Dullo” McDonald, oversees the Football Classic and the Scholarship Awards Ceremony, ensuring the smooth execution of these significant events.

  Corporate sponsorship has played a vital role in sustaining the David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation’s mission, with Victoria Mutual being a steadfast supporter since the Foundation’s inception. Other key sponsors include Supreme Ventures Limited, Proven Wealth Management, Grace Foods USA, and the Gibson McCook Relays Committee, along with numerous other corporate and individual donors who contribute to the ongoing funding of the scholarships.

  As the 2024 David “Wagga” Hunt Football Classic approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a day filled with competitive football, camaraderie, and a reaffirmation of the values that David Hunt championed throughout his life. The event not only honors his legacy but also continues to provide critical support to the next generation of Jamaican students, ensuring that Hunt’s impact on the lives of young people endures for years to come.

   

   

   

• Ten Hag looking to take Community Shield positives into Premier League opener

  Erik ten Hag wants his Manchester United squad to use their Community Shield loss to Manchester City as motivation against Fulham in Friday's Premier League opener. 

  Ten Hag's team almost started the season with another trophy, but fell to defeat in a penalty shootout at Wembley after Alejandro Garnacho's strike had given them the lead.

  Bernardo Silva levelled late on for Pep Guardiola's City side, with Manuel Akanji scoring the decisive spot-kick after Jonny Evans' miss from 12 yards. 

  “We are disappointed," Ten Hag said. "We have to feel the pain and everyone feels the pain. That's a good signal, but I also see some positives.

  “We performed well, we could've won that game, we were twice leading in the game and in the penalties, but we lost, and we're disappointed. But we take the positives.”

  The Red Devils have since bolstered their defensive ranks, with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joining from Bayern Munich, but they will be without the injured Luke Shaw. 

  It was confirmed on Tuesday that the full-back will miss the start of the season after sustaining a calf injury in pre-season training. 

  For Fulham, they will be hopeful of maintaining their impressive opening day form, having lost their first Premier League match in just two of their last nine seasons (four wins, three draws). 

  Marco Silva's tenure has featured a promotion and two comfortable campaigns in the top flight, and they have regenerated their squad in the transfer window after losing star midfielder Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich.

  Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon's arrivals have improved their forward line, and they will be confident of starting the season strongly at Old Trafford. 

  The Cottagers prevailed on their last visit to M16, winning 2-1 back in February, but captain Tom Cairney acknowledged a stern challenge awaits them.

  “For the quality of their squad, you could argue they’ve been a little bit hit and miss,” Cairney said. “It was amazing for them to win the trophy at the end of last season.

  “If they’re on, if they’re firing on all cylinders, it’s a tough night for us.

  "They’ve got quality throughout the squad, Champions League winners, but Marco will definitely gear us up to go there and try and win."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Manchester United - Bruno Fernandes

  In the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, United will look towards the attacking talents of captain Bruno Fernandes to provide that creative spark in the final third. 

  Fernandes finished as the Red Devils' joint-top scorer in the Premier League last season with 10 goals in 35 appearances, while also creating more chances in the division than any other player (114). 

  The United captain has scored four times against Fulham in his seven games against them in all competitions, only scoring more against Everton (five), Leeds (six) and Aston Villa (seven) of the English sides he has faced. 

  Fulham - Emile Smith Rowe

  All eyes will be on Fulham new boy Smith Rowe following his £34million switch from Arsenal, with the possibility of joining a select few players should he find the target. 

  Smith Rowe scored on his only Premier League start against United at Old Trafford in a 3-2 defeat during his time with Arsenal in December 2021. 

  Only Darren Bent (Fulham and Tottenham), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Tottenham) and Frank Lampard (Chelsea and West Ham) have scored away against the Red Devils with two different London clubs in the Premier League. 

  MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

  United have lost just four of their 34 Premier League meetings with Fulham (24 wins, six draws), but one of those came in their most recent encounter back in February.

  Ten Hag's side have struggled versus sides from the capital, losing their last three home games against teams from London. Should Fulham emerge victorious, it will be the first time since a run of five between December 1985 and September 1986 that United have lost four consecutive games against London clubs. 

  But the Red Devils start their campaign in front of their home supporters for the eighth season in a row, becoming the first in Premier League history to start a season with a home game in eight seasons consecutively.

  Fulham, however, will be out to cause an upset. They won two of their final three Premier League away games last season (one draw), as many as they managed in their first 16 on the road in 2023-24 (five draws, nine defeats).

  Following their victory in Manchester in February, Fulham are looking to win on consecutive league visits to United for the first time. They’ve faced them at Old Trafford in their opening league match three times previously, losing all three (0-1 in 1950-51, 2-3 in 2001-02 and 1-5 in 2006-07).

  And there is no better man to lead them out than Silva, who is unbeaten in his last nine opening day matches (three wins, six draws), with his last such defeat coming in the Primeira Liga with Estoril in 2012-13 (1-2 v Olhanense).

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Manchester United - 58.5%

  Draw - 20.9%

  Fulham - 20.6%