Arsenal Face Wolves in Key Top-Flight Fixture
The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League contest as table-toppers Arsenal welcome bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have made a trio of alterations following the XI that suffered a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games due to injury.
Wolves also make three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at home by United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
The Setup
Good evening! And I mean, look at this …
The standings tells a stark contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the summit of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the team propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining last-over-first victories in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)