Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial Top-Flight Fixture
All eyes turn for a intriguing Premier League contest as league leaders the Gunners host rock-bottom Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes following the XI that endured a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Bench: 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.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, look at this …
The standings tells a clear contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the team at the foot of the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally succeed, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two last-over-first wins 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.)
