Arsenal Take On Wolves in Key English Top Division Fixture

Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League matchup as league leaders the Gunners host rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Team News

Arsenal have made three changes from the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba returns after missing a run of games through injury.

Wolves also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Jhon 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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! And I mean, look at this …

The table reveals a stark picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents anchor the division.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally succeed, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!

^{(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}