The Gunners Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key English Top Division Encounter
All eyes turn for a intriguing top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations following the XI that suffered a narrow defeat at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. The captain and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back is back after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! Because, let's be honest …
The table reveals a clear contrast. The hosts sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves prop up the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the side propping up the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes come off, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic'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.)