🔗 Share this article

The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League matchup as league leaders the Gunners welcome struggling Wolves to the their home ground.

Team News

Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations following the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. The captain and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back returns after sitting out a run of games due to injury.

The visitors also have made three changes to their starting XI following being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and the South Korean forward come in. Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner 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! Because, c’mon …

The table paints a striking story. The hosts sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the division.

… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have taken on the side propping up the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolves, of course! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!

^{(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)}