The Gunners Host Wolves in Key Premier League Encounter
The stage is set for a intriguing top-flight contest as table-toppers Arsenal host rock-bottom Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes following the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
The Setup
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The standings reveals a clear story. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the table, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the team at the foot of the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)