Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key English Top Division Clash
All eyes turn for a compelling top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes following the XI that endured a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all start in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba returns after sitting out five matches due to injury.
The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Hoever and Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! And I mean, let's be honest …
The standings tells a striking story. The hosts sit proudly at the summit of the table, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the top side have faced the side at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The other two bottom-beats-top victories 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.)