Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal Top-Flight Fixture

Focus shifts for a fascinating Premier League contest as league leaders the Gunners host struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.

Team News

Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations from the team that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.

Wolves also make three changes to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted 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.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Match Context

Good evening! Because, let's be honest …

The standings reveals a stark contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Wolves anchor the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the side propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!

^{(The remaining last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)}