Arsenal Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key Top-Flight Fixture

All eyes turn for a intriguing Premier League matchup as table-toppers the Gunners welcome struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have opted for a trio of alterations following the team that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games due to injury.

Wolves also make three adjustments to their starting XI after being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! And I mean, look at this …

The table paints a striking picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the summit of the table, while their opponents prop up the division.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the team propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally succeed, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!

^{(The other two last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}