The Gunners Host Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Encounter
The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal host rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations following the team that endured a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches through injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner 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
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
The Setup
Good evening! And I mean, look at this …
The standings paints a clear contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the summit of the table, while Wolves anchor the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the top side have faced the team 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? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
