Arsenal Host Wolves in Key Top-Flight Fixture
Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations following the side that endured a narrow loss at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba is back after missing five matches due to injury.
The visitors also have made three adjustments to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana 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.
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
Preamble
Welcome! Because, let's be honest …
The standings reveals a stark story. The hosts sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and you never know. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
