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Focus shifts for a compelling top-flight contest as league leaders Arsenal entertain rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.

Confirmed Sides

Mikel Arteta's side have opted for a trio of alterations following the XI that endured a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back returns after missing a run of games due to injury.

The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. Matt Doherty, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan start. Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, 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.
Bench: 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

Good evening! And I mean, c’mon …

The table tells a striking contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents occupy the bottom of the division.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the side at the foot of the entire table – with 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally come off, and you never know. The start is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!

^{(The remaining bottom-beats-top victories in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, a surprising one - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)}