The Gunners Face Wolves in Crucial Premier League Clash

Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League matchup as front-runners the Gunners welcome rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.

Confirmed Sides

Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes from the XI that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back returns after missing five matches due to injury.

The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Confirmed Lineups

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: 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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! And I mean, let's be honest …

The standings reveals a stark contrast. Arsenal sit proudly at the summit of the Premier League, while Wolves occupy the bottom of the division.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced the team propping up the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven draws – which team is behind two of the four all-time upsets? Why, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes succeed, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

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