Arsenal Face Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Clash
Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners entertain struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Team News
Arsenal have made three changes following the side that suffered a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …
The standings reveals a striking contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!
(The other two last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)