The Gunners Host Wolves in Pivotal Top-Flight Fixture

Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight contest as front-runners the Gunners welcome struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

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 Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba returns after missing five matches through injury.

Wolves also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.

Starting Elevens

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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks

Match Context

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

The standings paints a clear contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table, while Wolves anchor the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have played the team at the foot of the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

(The remaining bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)

Colton Morton
Colton Morton

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