The Gunners Host Wolves in Pivotal Premier League Clash
The stage is set for a intriguing top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners welcome rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.
Team News
Mikel Arteta's side have introduced a trio of alterations from the team that endured a 2-1 loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all come into the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out a run of games through injury.
Wolves also make three adjustments to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.
The Teams in Full
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Match Context
Welcome! Because, c’mon …
The standings tells a striking contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while Wolves anchor the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have taken on the team at the foot of the division – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs occasionally succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
