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The stage is set for a compelling top-flight contest as front-runners the Gunners host struggling Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

Confirmed Sides

Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes following the side that endured a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli all start in the lineup. The captain and Mikel Merino drop to the substitutes' bench, while Riccardo Calafiori is not involved. Saliba returns after sitting out a run of games through injury.

Wolves also have made three changes to their starting XI following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United on Monday evening. The experienced full-back, João Gomes and Hwang Hee-chan start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias are on the substitutes, while Jean‐Ricner Bellegarde is not in the squad 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.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
Video Assistant Referee: John Brooks

Preamble

Welcome! Because, look at this …

The table tells a striking contrast. The hosts sit proudly at the top of the table, while Wolves anchor the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have taken on the side propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four historical shocks? Why, Wolves, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will surely be expecting another three points, the Wolves boss must know that long shots occasionally come off, and anything is possible. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!

^{(The remaining bottom-beats-top wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – admittedly, a surprising one - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}