Arsenal Take On Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial Top-Flight Clash
The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League contest as league leaders Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations from the XI that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. The captain and the Spanish midfielder drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner 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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Welcome! And I mean, let's be honest …
The standings tells a stark story. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Wolves prop up the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the side at the foot of the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
