The Gunners Take On Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal Premier League Encounter

The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League contest as front-runners Arsenal welcome rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Team News

Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes from the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba is back after missing a run of games due to injury.

The visitors also make three changes to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde is omitted altogether.

Starting Elevens

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Bench: 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
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! And I mean, c’mon …

The table paints a clear contrast. The hosts sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents anchor the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the side propping up the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!

^{(The other two last-over-first victories in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}