The Gunners Face Wolves in Crucial English Top Division Clash
All eyes turn for a intriguing top-flight matchup as table-toppers Arsenal entertain struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Arsenal have opted for a trio of alterations from the XI that endured a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after missing five matches through injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde is omitted 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
Preamble
Good evening! Because, look at this …
The table reveals a clear contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have taken on the team at the foot of the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)