Arsenal Face Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Fixture
The stage is set for a compelling top-flight contest as table-toppers the Gunners host rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.
Team News
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations following the side that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.
The visitors also have made three adjustments to their starting XI following being skelped 4-1 at home by United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! Because, look at this …
The table reveals a striking contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents anchor the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team propping up the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally succeed, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
