The Gunners Take On Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Encounter
The stage is set for a intriguing top-flight contest as table-toppers Arsenal entertain struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Arsenal have opted for a trio of alterations following the side that endured a narrow defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.
Wolves also have made three changes to their lineup following being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
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
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
The Setup
Welcome! And I mean, look at this …
The table tells a clear picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have played the side at the foot of the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will surely be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs sometimes come off, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The other two last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic'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.)
