The Gunners Face Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Clash

All eyes turn for a compelling top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Team News

Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes following the XI that suffered a narrow defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. The French defender, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games due to injury.

Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI after being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on 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

The Setup

Welcome! Because, let's be honest …

The standings reveals a striking story. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the league.

… yet while this will be the 42nd time the top side have faced the side propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven draws – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs occasionally succeed, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

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