Arsenal hold firm at the top of the premier league table as Arteta previews tough trip to Wolves

Mikel Arteta delivered an upbeat but cautious briefing ahead of Arsenal's midweek Premier League visit to Wolves, offering key fitness updates, reflecting on the club's standing in the title race and acknowledging a string of recent pre-match fitness scares that have prompted an internal review. The manager stressed the importance of daily standards and warned that Wednesday's trip to Molineux will be a difficult test.

Fitness and squad availability

Arteta confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White trained with the group on the day of the press conference and are expected to be available for Wednesday's match (ET). Both players had earlier fitness concerns: Calafiori withdrew from a previous match at short notice and White was substituted recently with fatigue and a tight hamstring, but the manager said both were feeling better and optimistic for selection.

Martin Odegaard remains sidelined for Wolves and is not expected to be fit in time for the midweek fixture, though Arteta expressed hope he could be involved by Sunday (ET). Kai Havertz is also a possibility for the weekend match but will not feature in the immediate trip. The boss underlined the compressed schedule — with another game on Sunday — as a factor shaping selection and rotation choices.

Confidence in the title bid

With Arsenal sitting atop the premier league table, Arteta pointed to the team's daily work and consistent preparation as the main source of belief that they can sustain a genuine title challenge. He said his confidence is rooted in what he sees in training and in matches rather than hypothetical scenarios, praising the squad's attitude across multiple competitions.

The manager framed the current position as a product of sustained effort over many months and urged players and fans to appreciate the privilege while remaining focused. He warned that past meetings with Wolves have proved tricky and emphasized the importance of executing Arsenal's game plan to claim the three points at Molineux.

Tactical test, Wolves' approach and warmup concerns

Arteta described Wolves as an organized and resilient side under their manager, who he knows well, and expects a compact, hard-working performance that will require Arsenal to be purposeful and confident. He stressed that if his team performs the familiar processes well, they will have a strong chance to win.

Separately, the manager acknowledged a worrying pattern of players picking up issues during or immediately after warmups in recent weeks. He outlined that the club is reassessing pre-match routines because several incidents have occurred in quick succession — an unusual cluster that has heightened awareness among the coaching staff. Arteta suggested the review could examine whether some traditional elements of the warmup should be adapted or even removed, noting the complexity of changing ingrained practices when players rely on routine to prepare their bodies and minds.

While the immediate focus is on making the right selection for Wolves and protecting the squad across a congested schedule, the club is intent on learning from the warmup incidents to reduce last-minute disruptions. Arteta said those practical adjustments form part of the day-to-day work that has underpinned the team's standing atop the premier league table.

As Arsenal head to Molineux on Wednesday (ET), the manager's message was clear: back the preparation that has brought them this far, remain humble, and be ready for a challenging trip that could extend their lead at the summit if they produce another positive result.