The Gunners Take On Wolves in Key English Top Division Encounter
All eyes turn for a compelling Premier League contest as league leaders Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations from the XI that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba is back after sitting out a run of games due to injury.
Wolves also make three changes to their starting XI after being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde is not in the squad 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
Match Context
Good evening! Because, let's be honest …
The standings tells a striking story. The hosts 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 top side have taken on the side at the foot of the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm 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 Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
