Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a selection crisis ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Wolves after several key players suffered fitness setbacks during the club’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan.
Arsenal’s medical team is working overtime following a bruising week that has left captain Martin Odegaard and defender Riccardo Calafiori as major doubts for the upcoming trip to Molineux.
Odegaard missed Sunday’s FA Cup victory after over-stretching his knee during a mid-week draw with Brentford.
Regarding his captain and Calafiori, who withdrew during the Wigan warm-up, Mikel Arteta stated, “Yeah, him and Ben are the only doubts. We have to wait and see in the next 48 hours how things develop.”
While Ben White eased fears by suggesting his substitution was precautionary, the Gunners remain without several long-term absentees.
Kai Havertz is sidelined with a muscular issue until March, while midfielder Mikel Merino faces months out following foot surgery.
Despite the growing injury list, the Premier League leaders are boosted by the return of Max Dowman to training.
Reflecting on the physical toll of the campaign, Arteta noted, “Before it was the strikers and then defenders, now it is midfielders. We are still coping.”
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