Arsenal Take On Wolves in Key Premier League Clash
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as league leaders the Gunners welcome bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Confirmed Sides
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations from the team that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all come into the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back returns after sitting out a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.
Starting Elevens
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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! Because, let's be honest …
The standings reveals a stark story. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the table, while Wolves anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the side at the foot of the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)