The Gunners Host Wolves in Key English Top Division Clash
Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League contest as front-runners the Gunners entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations from the team that suffered a narrow loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all come into the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back returns after sitting out five matches through injury.
Wolves also make three changes to their starting XI following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
The Setup
Good evening! And I mean, let's be honest …
The standings tells a striking picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the table, while their opponents anchor the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced the team at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining last-over-first victories in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
