The Gunners Host Wolves in Key Premier League Fixture
The stage is set for a intriguing top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal welcome bottom-placed Wolves to the their home ground.
Team News
Arsenal have introduced three changes from the team that endured a narrow loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games through injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the substitutes, while Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Starting Elevens
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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, let's be honest …
The table reveals a clear picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the summit of the Premier League, while Wolves anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the team at the foot of the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? 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 come off, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two 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, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
