The Gunners Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial English Top Division Fixture
Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight matchup as front-runners the Gunners host struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Arsenal have introduced a trio of alterations following the side that endured a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games through injury.
The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, 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
VAR Official: John Brooks
Match Context
Good evening! And I mean, look at this …
The standings paints a clear story. The hosts sit proudly at the summit of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have played the team propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. Let's go!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)
