The Gunners Face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Pivotal English Top Division Fixture

The stage is set for a compelling top-flight contest as league leaders the Gunners welcome bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Starting Lineups

Mikel Arteta's side have introduced three changes following the side that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. The French defender, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back is back after missing five matches through injury.

The visitors also make three changes to their lineup following being skelped 4-1 at home by United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan come in. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.

Confirmed Lineups

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

Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! Because, look at this …

The table tells a striking story. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table, while their opponents prop up the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have taken on the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are behind two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be expecting another three points, Rob Edwards must know that long shots sometimes come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. Let's go!

^{(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}