The Gunners Take On Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a compelling top-flight matchup as league leaders the Gunners host bottom-placed Wolves to the their home ground.
Team News
Arsenal have made three changes following the XI that endured a narrow loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back returns after sitting out a run of games through injury.
Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI following being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while 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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Welcome! And I mean, let's be honest …
The table reveals a clear contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have played the team propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
