🔗 Share this article

The stage is set for a compelling Premier League matchup as league leaders Arsenal entertain bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have introduced three changes following the XI that suffered a 2-1 loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba returns after missing a run of games through injury.

The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! And I mean, let's be honest …

The standings paints a clear story. The hosts sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while their opponents prop up the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team propping up the division – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes come off, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!

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