Arsenal Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key English Top Division Fixture
All eyes turn for a compelling top-flight contest as front-runners the Gunners welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations from the team that endured a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba is back after missing a run of games due to injury.
Wolves also have made three adjustments to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Hoever and Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
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
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The table paints a clear contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced the team propping up the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)