The Gunners Host Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a fascinating top-flight matchup as front-runners Arsenal welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes from the side that suffered a 2-1 loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba is back after missing five matches through injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their starting XI following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by United last time out. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The table paints a stark picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the table, while their opponents anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have taken on the side propping up the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
