The Gunners Host Wolves in Crucial English Top Division Fixture
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League matchup as front-runners Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations from the side that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba returns after sitting out a run of games through injury.
Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
The Setup
Good evening! Because, let's be honest …
The standings reveals a stark picture. The hosts sit proudly at the summit of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the side at the foot of the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
