Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial Top-Flight Fixture
The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal welcome bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have made a trio of alterations from the XI that endured a narrow loss at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba is back after sitting out five matches through injury.
Wolves also make three adjustments to their starting XI after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Starting Elevens
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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, look at this …
The table tells a striking contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the summit of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the team at the foot of the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally come off, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
