The Gunners Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal English Top Division Fixture
The stage is set for a fascinating top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal entertain bottom-placed Wolves to the their home ground.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes following the XI that suffered a narrow defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba returns after missing five matches due to injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their starting XI following being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde is omitted 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
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The standings reveals a stark contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team propping up the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
