Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key Premier League Encounter
The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League contest as table-toppers the Gunners entertain struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes following the XI that suffered a narrow defeat at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba is back after missing five matches due to injury.
Wolves also have made three adjustments to their starting XI after being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The standings paints a clear picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Wolves prop up the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have faced the side at the foot of the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards 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 bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)