Arsenal Face Wolves in Pivotal Premier League Clash
The stage is set for a compelling Premier League matchup as front-runners Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.
Starting Lineups
Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes following the side that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all start in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. Saliba is back after sitting out a run of games due to injury.
The visitors also have made three changes to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, JoĂŁo Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the bench, while 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
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks
Preamble
Welcome! Because, câmon âŠ
The standings tells a stark picture. The hosts sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents anchor the league.
⊠yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team at the foot of the division â with 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games â which team is responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolves, thatâs who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Itâs on!
(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldhamâs 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur â admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)