Arsenal Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial English Top Division Encounter

The stage is set for a fascinating top-flight contest as table-toppers the Gunners host struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have made three changes from the side that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after sitting out a run of games through injury.

The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Confirmed Lineups

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
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! Because, c’mon …

The standings paints a stark picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!

(The remaining last-over-first wins 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 - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)

Bethany Austin
Bethany Austin

A tech enthusiast and gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in the industry, specializing in emerging trends and innovations.