🔗 Share this article

Focus shifts for a compelling top-flight matchup as table-toppers Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.

Starting Lineups

Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes from the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after missing a run of games due to injury.

The visitors also make three changes to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Starting Elevens

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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Match Context

Welcome! Because, look at this …

The table reveals a clear contrast. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the division.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have played the team propping up the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally come off, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!

^{(The other two last-over-first victories in the Premier League 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.)}