The Gunners Take On Wolves in Key Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League matchup as league leaders the Gunners host rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations from the side that suffered a 2-1 loss 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 are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back is back after missing five matches through injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their starting XI after being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.
The Teams in Full
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: 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.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, let's be honest …
The standings paints a stark contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the table, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the side propping up the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
