Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key Top-Flight Clash
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as league leaders the Gunners entertain struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations following the side that suffered a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba returns after missing five matches due to injury.
Wolves also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Good evening! Because, c’mon …
The standings paints a stark story. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes come off, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)