Arsenal Take On Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal Premier League Fixture
Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight contest as table-toppers Arsenal welcome struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations from the side that suffered a narrow loss at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.
The visitors also make three changes to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at home by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Substitutes: 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.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Preamble
Good evening! Because, look at this …
The table tells a striking contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)