Arsenal Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial English Top Division Fixture
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as front-runners Arsenal host rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations from the side that endured a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. The captain and the Spanish midfielder are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out a run of games due to injury.
Wolves also make three changes to their starting XI after being skelped 4-1 at home by United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Starting Elevens
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Bench: 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
Welcome! Because, look at this …
The standings reveals a stark contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the team at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs sometimes succeed, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)