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Focus shifts for a compelling top-flight contest as front-runners the Gunners host rock-bottom Wolves to the their home ground.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have opted for three changes following the side that endured a narrow defeat at Villa Park in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and the Brazilian winger are all included in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and the Spanish midfielder are named on the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. The centre-back returns after sitting out five matches due to injury.

The visitors also make three adjustments to their lineup after being skelped 4-1 at Molineux by United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and the South Korean forward start. Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the bench, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Starting Elevens

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

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Preamble

Good evening! Because, c’mon …

The table reveals a clear story. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the top side have played the side propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – who are responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while Mikel Arteta will surely be anticipating another victory, the Wolves boss must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

^{(The remaining last-over-first wins in the Premier League era are Oldham’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 1993, and Spurs – admittedly, this one sounds a bit weird - beating Liverpool in November 2008.)}