The Gunners Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key Top-Flight Clash
Focus shifts for a intriguing Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal welcome struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have opted for three changes from the team that endured a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back returns after missing five matches due to injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.
Starting Elevens
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
Good evening! And I mean, let's be honest …
The table tells a clear contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the side at the foot of the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’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.)
