Arsenal Take On Wolves in Key English Top Division Encounter
Focus shifts for a compelling top-flight matchup as table-toppers Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations following the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba is back after missing a run of games through injury.
Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Starting Elevens
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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
The Setup
Good evening! And I mean, let's be honest …
The table paints a stark picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the side at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)