The Gunners Take On Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Clash
All eyes turn for a fascinating Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal welcome struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Arsenal have opted for a trio of alterations following the XI that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after sitting out five matches due to injury.
Wolves also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Welcome! And I mean, let's be honest …
The table paints a stark contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced the side propping up the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally come off, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
