Arsenal Take On Wolves in Key Top-Flight Encounter
All eyes turn for a intriguing top-flight contest as league leaders the Gunners welcome struggling Wolves to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have introduced a trio of alterations from the XI that endured a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger are all included in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out a run of games through injury.
Wolves also make three adjustments to their starting XI after being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
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, let's be honest …
The table paints a clear picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the top of the table, while their opponents anchor the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the top side have played the side at the foot of the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, 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. It’s on!
(The other two last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
