🔗 Share this article

The stage is set for a compelling top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have introduced a trio of alterations following the team that endured a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the starting eleven. The captain and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba returns after missing five matches through injury.

The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Match Context

Welcome! And I mean, look at this …

The standings paints a stark picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the side propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

^{(The other two last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}