The Gunners Host Wolves in Key English Top Division Encounter

Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League matchup as league leaders the Gunners entertain struggling Wolves to the their home ground.

Team News

Arsenal have made a trio of alterations following the XI that endured a narrow defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba is back after sitting out a run of games through injury.

The visitors also make three adjustments to their starting XI following being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and the South Korean forward are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Starting Elevens

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

Preamble

Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …

The standings paints a clear picture. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have taken on the side propping up the entire table – with 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

^{(The other two last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight 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.)}