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The stage is set for a fascinating top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners entertain bottom-placed Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Mikel Arteta's side have opted for three changes from the XI that suffered a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. The French defender, Viktor Gyökeres and the Brazilian winger all start in the starting eleven. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino drop to the bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is absent. Saliba returns after missing five matches through injury.

The visitors also have made three adjustments to their lineup following being soundly beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. The experienced full-back, the Brazilian midfielder and Hwang Hee-chan are recalled. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is omitted altogether.

The Teams in Full

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
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! And I mean, c’mon …

The standings paints a stark story. Arsenal sit proudly at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the league.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the Premier League leaders have faced 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, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! Therefore, although the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. The start is at 8pm GMT. The action is imminent!

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