The Gunners Face Wolves in Crucial Top-Flight Clash
Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations from the XI that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after sitting out five matches through injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: 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.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! And I mean, c’mon …
The standings paints a clear picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League, while Wolves anchor the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the side propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally succeed, and anything is possible. The start is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
