The Gunners Take On Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Clash
Focus shifts for a compelling top-flight contest as league leaders the Gunners welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have made three changes from the team that endured a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and 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.
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.
Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Good evening! Because, c’mon …
The standings paints a clear contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced the side propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)