Arsenal Face Wolves in Key English Top Division Fixture
Focus shifts for a fascinating Premier League matchup as front-runners the Gunners entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Confirmed Sides
Arsenal have opted for a trio of alterations from the team that suffered a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back returns after sitting out a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while 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
Welcome! And I mean, look at this …
The standings paints a stark picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the summit of the table, while Wolves prop up the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have faced the side at the foot of the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and you never know. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!
(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)