Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a compelling Premier League contest as front-runners the Gunners entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes from the team that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all come into the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba returns after missing a run of games through injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their starting XI following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on 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.
Substitutes: 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
Match Context
Welcome! And I mean, look at this …
The table paints a striking picture. The hosts sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves anchor the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the side propping up the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will surely be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
