Arsenal Take On Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal Premier League Fixture
The stage is set for a fascinating Premier League contest as league leaders Arsenal entertain struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have made a trio of alterations following the XI that suffered a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba is back after missing five matches through injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.
Starting Elevens
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: 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.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! And I mean, look at this …
The table paints a clear contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the side at the foot of the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, of course! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally find the target, and you never know. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!
(The remaining last-over-first victories 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 - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)