The Gunners Face Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Fixture

Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League matchup as table-toppers the Gunners host struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have opted for three changes from the XI that endured a 2-1 loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba is back after sitting out five matches through injury.

The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Bellegarde misses out 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
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …

The standings tells a clear picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the table, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the side at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally succeed, and anything is possible. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

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