The Gunners Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Crucial English Top Division Encounter
The stage is set for a intriguing Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.
Starting Lineups
Arsenal have made a trio of alterations following the side that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all come into the starting eleven. The captain and the Spanish midfielder drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after missing five matches due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.
Confirmed Lineups
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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.
Match Official: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
The Setup
Welcome! And I mean, c’mon …
The standings tells a clear picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the table, while Wolves prop up the league.
… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have taken on the side propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!
(The remaining bottom-beats-top wins in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)