Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a positive injury update ahead of the Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on the road tomorrow.
The Gunners are presently four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the standings and have a brilliant opportunity to extend the gap to seven with a victory at the Molineux Stadium.
Ahead of the encounter, Arteta has confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori is fine and training. The Italian picked up a knock during the warm-up before the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Wigan Athletic.
The manager also revealed that Ben White is in contention to face Wolves. The Englishman was feeling some tightness in his hamstring, but has recovered well ahead of Wednesday’s late kick-off.
Arteta said on the duo: “He’s fine [Calafiori], he was training with us today. He’s feeling better and hopefully he’s fit for tomorrow. It was just a bit of fatigue [on White]. Obviously he did a lot in the game. By the end of it, he was feeling a bit of tightness in the hamstring, but he’s fine.”
The Spanish tactician added that the game will come too soon for Martin Odegaard (knee) and Kai Havertz (muscular) after recent injury concerns.
However, the attacking duo could return ahead of Sunday’s much-anticipated north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Arteta added: “No, for Wolves [Odegaard] not going to be fit, but for Sunday we’re very hopeful that he can be with us. Kai is the other one that again, for the weekend is a possibility, so looking forward to having him in the squad.”
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The Gunners had their game against Wolves preponed due to their participation in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on March 22.
On the contrary, Man City are yet to find out when they will face Crystal Palace, as the latter are in Conference League play-off action on Thursday.
Hence, Arsenal have been handed an obvious advantage and can go seven points clear of the Cityzens with a victory over Wolves on the road.
Pep Guardiola’s side face a potentially tricky fixture against Newcastle United at home on Saturday before the Gunners take on Spurs away from home.
Anything less than a victory tomorrow would be a huge surprise. Arteta is likely to make eight changes at least, and Bukayo Saka could continue as the attacking midfielder.