Arsenal Host Wolverhampton Wanderers in Key English Top Division Encounter

The stage is set for a intriguing top-flight contest as front-runners Arsenal welcome bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Starting Lineups

Arsenal have opted for three changes following the side that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games through injury.

Wolves also make three changes to their starting XI following being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde is omitted 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.
Bench: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! Because, let's be honest …

The standings reveals a striking story. The hosts sit proudly at the pinnacle of the table, while their opponents anchor the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the side propping up the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!

(The other two last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)

Chelsea Ortega
Chelsea Ortega

Award-winning film critic with over a decade of experience covering international cinema and festival circuits.