Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal English Top Division Fixture
The stage is set for a compelling top-flight contest as table-toppers the Gunners host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have made a trio of alterations following the XI that suffered a narrow defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after missing a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …
The standings reveals a stark picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the table, while their opponents prop up the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have taken on the side at the foot of the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and anything is possible. The start is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)
