The Gunners Face Wolves in Crucial Premier League Encounter
The stage is set for a compelling top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners welcome bottom-placed Wolves to the their home ground.
Team News
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations from the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba is back after missing a run of games through injury.
Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while 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.
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, c’mon …
The table reveals a clear contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the league.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the side propping up the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)