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Focus shifts for a fascinating top-flight contest as table-toppers Arsenal host bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Arsenal have introduced three changes from the XI that endured a narrow defeat at Aston Villa in their previous outing. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all come into the starting eleven. The captain and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is not involved. The centre-back is back after sitting out a run of games through injury.

Wolves also make three changes to their lineup following being heavily defeated 4-1 at Molineux by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde misses out altogether.

Starting Elevens

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: 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! And I mean, let's be honest …

The table paints a stark story. The hosts sit proudly at the pinnacle of the Premier League, while their opponents prop up the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd occasion the top side have faced the side propping up the entire table – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, of course! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another victory, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8pm GMT. It’s on!

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