The Gunners Host Wolves in Crucial Top-Flight Encounter

Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League contest as table-toppers Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.

Starting Lineups

Arsenal have opted for three changes following the side that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba is back after missing a run of games through injury.

The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! Because, c’mon …

The standings paints a stark story. The hosts sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League, while Wolves anchor the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the team at the foot of the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. The start is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!

(The other two last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight 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.)

Donald James
Donald James

Elara is a software engineer and tech writer with over a decade of experience in AI and web development, passionate about simplifying complex concepts.