Arsenal Take On Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Encounter
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as table-toppers Arsenal host rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes from the XI that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also make 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 are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.
The Teams in Full
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
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! Because, let's be honest …
The standings paints a striking picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the summit of the table, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)