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Focus shifts for a compelling Premier League matchup as table-toppers Arsenal welcome bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the their home ground.

Team News

Arsenal have opted for three changes from the side that suffered a 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. The centre-back returns after sitting out five matches due to injury.

The visitors also make three changes to their starting XI after being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad altogether.

Starting Elevens

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

Match Official: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! Because, c’mon …

The table tells a clear picture. Arsenal sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Wolves prop up the league.

… yet while this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have taken on the team propping up the entire table – winning 30 out of 41, with seven tied games – which team is behind two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolves, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs occasionally come off, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!

^{(The other two bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)}