Arsenal Take On Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Fixture
The stage is set for a fascinating top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners welcome struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes from the team that suffered a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games through injury.
Wolves also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the bench, while Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The table tells a stark contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the summit of the Premier League, while their opponents anchor the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the team at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
