Arsenal Host Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Clash

Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight contest as league leaders Arsenal entertain struggling Wolves to the their home ground.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have made three changes from the team that suffered a narrow loss at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back is back after sitting out a run of games due to injury.

The visitors also have made three changes to their starting XI after being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.

The Teams in Full

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.
Substitutes: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! Because, look at this …

The standings reveals a stark story. The hosts sit proudly at the summit of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have played the team at the foot of the division – winning 30 out of 41, with seven draws – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, of course! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be anticipating another three points, 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. It’s on!

(The other two bottom-beats-top victories in the modern top-flight era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – yeah, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)

Erin Howell
Erin Howell

Elara Vance is a legacy strategist and author focused on intergenerational wealth and family business continuity.