Mikel Arteta press briefing as Arsenal lead the premier league table: fitness, tactics and title belief
Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of Arsenal's midweek trip to Wolves, offering detailed fitness updates, reflections on recent performances and a renewed examination of pre-match warm-ups. The message was clear: the squad's daily work underpins Arsenal's position at the top of the table, but the manager also warned of a difficult test at Molineux on Wednesday evening (ET).
Fitness picture: Calafiori and White available, Odegaard and Havertz edging closer
Arteta provided encouraging news on two defenders. Riccardo Calafiori "is fine; he was training with us today, he’s feeling better, and hopefully he’s fit for tomorrow. " Ben White’s withdrawal in the cup was down to fatigue and a bit of hamstring tightness, but the manager confirmed "he’s fine. " Both players trained and are expected to be considered for the trip to Wolves.
Captain Martin Odegaard remains unavailable for the midweek fixture — "No, for Wolves he’s not going to be fit" — though Arteta said he is "very hopeful" Odegaard will be available for the weekend fixture on Sunday (ET). Kai Havertz was also noted as a possibility for the weekend: "Kai is the other one that again, for the weekend is a possibility, so looking forward to having him in the squad. "
Title race confidence and the challenge ahead at Molineux
Arsenal sit top of the premier league table by four points and Arteta described their position as "a privilege" earned through sustained daily work over the past seven and a half months. He stressed that his confidence in the team is rooted in what he sees in training and match preparation: "I don't get the confidence for the things that I imagine, but for the things that I see every day and the preparation and how much the players want it. "
Despite that belief, Arteta underlined the threat posed by Wolves and their manager, recalling how tough previous visits to Molineux have been. He singled out the opponent's consistent approach and the manager's impact since taking charge, saying it will be "a tough test" and that Arsenal must execute their own processes to give themselves a big chance of taking three points.
Warm-up concerns and potential changes to pre-match routine
Beyond immediate selection, Arteta revealed a broader concern: a recent run of last-minute injuries in warm-ups has prompted a review of pre-match routines. Several players suffered fitness issues just before kick-off on different occasions, prompting the coaching staff to reassess how they prepare players physically in the build-up.
He admitted the string of incidents has made him "more aware" in the lead-up to games and acknowledged the practical difficulty when replacement decisions must be made minutes before kickoff. Arteta is exploring whether elements of the traditional warm-up should change — even considering what would happen if the usual routine were altered or, hypothetically, omitted — to avoid late mishaps and better protect the squad.
Arteta also touched on squad management during recovery, mentioning efforts to keep players involved while they rehabilitate. With a packed schedule — a Wednesday match followed by another on Sunday (both referenced in Eastern Time) — rotation and readiness will remain central to Arsenal's approach as they aim to maintain momentum at the top of the standings.
As Arsenal prepare for Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday evening (ET), the immediate focus is clear: integrate returned players where possible, manage recoveries carefully and rely on the standards that have carried them to the summit of the table so far.
