The Gunners Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial English Top Division Clash
All eyes turn for a compelling Premier League contest as table-toppers Arsenal host struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations following the XI that suffered a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back returns after sitting out five matches through injury.
Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Starting Elevens
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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The table paints a striking contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the side propping up the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes come off, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)