The Gunners Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a fascinating top-flight contest as league leaders Arsenal welcome struggling Wolves to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have made a trio of alterations following the XI that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back is back after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their starting XI after being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Arias are on the substitutes, while Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! Because, c’mon …
The table tells a striking picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the side at the foot of the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, of course! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs occasionally come off, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
