The Gunners Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a compelling top-flight matchup as front-runners Arsenal welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have introduced three changes following the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba returns after missing a run of games due to injury.
Wolves also make three adjustments to their starting XI following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the bench, while Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Starting Elevens
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: 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.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Welcome! And I mean, c’mon …
The table reveals a clear contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Wolves prop up the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have played the side propping up the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating 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’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)