The Gunners Host Wolves in Key English Top Division Encounter
The stage is set for a compelling top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners entertain bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have introduced a trio of alterations from the XI that suffered a narrow loss at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. The captain and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba returns after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Johnstone, Mosquera, Agbadou, Toti Gomes, Doherty, Joao Gomes, Andre Trindade, Krejci, Wolfe, Larsen, Hwang.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …
The standings paints a clear story. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)