The Gunners Take On Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial English Top Division Clash
Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight contest as front-runners Arsenal host struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes from the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back returns after missing five matches through injury.
Wolves also have made three adjustments to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Hoever and Arias drop to 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.
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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! Because, look at this …
The table tells a stark picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the summit of the table, while Wolves anchor the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the top side have faced the side at the foot of the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)