The Gunners Face Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Clash
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as league leaders Arsenal welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations from the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. The captain and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back is back after missing five matches due to injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Starting Elevens
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.
Bench: 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, c’mon …
The table paints a stark contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the summit of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have played the side propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham’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.)
