Arsenal Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial Premier League Encounter

All eyes turn for a compelling Premier League matchup as league leaders the Gunners entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Team News

Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes from the XI that suffered a 2-1 loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back returns after sitting out a run of games through injury.

Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted 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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! And I mean, let's be honest …

The standings tells a stark picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the league.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team propping up the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

^{(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)}