Arsenal Take On Wolves in Crucial Premier League Fixture

Focus shifts for a compelling top-flight matchup as league leaders Arsenal welcome struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes following the XI that suffered a narrow defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after sitting out five matches through injury.

Wolves also make three changes to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Starting Elevens

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

Match Context

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

The standings paints a striking picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the side at the foot of the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – which team is responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although Mikel Arteta will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that long shots occasionally find the target, and anything is possible. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. The action is imminent!

(The remaining last-over-first victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)

Colin Knight
Colin Knight

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and cybersecurity trends.