The Gunners Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial Top-Flight Clash
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as table-toppers Arsenal welcome struggling Wolves to the their home ground.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes following the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all come into the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches through injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their starting XI following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on 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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The standings paints a stark picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while Wolves anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced the team at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and you never know. The start is at 8pm 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 Spurs – admittedly, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
