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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta before an FA Cup game against Portsmouth in January 2026
With their lead at the top of the Premier League trimmed to just four points, Arsenal have a valuable opportunity to reassert control when they travel to Wolves on Wednesday.
The Gunners face a side rooted to the bottom of the table, with Wolves managing just one league win all season.
It presents a crucial chance for Mikel Arteta’s team to build momentum ahead of an even bigger test, Sunday’s North London derby away to Tottenham Hotspur.
Last time out, Arsenal were held to a frustrating draw against Brentford, dropping valuable points in the title race. Now, attention turns to Wolves, with fresh injury updates offering encouragement ahead of the fixture.
Arsenal Receive Defensive Boost Ahead of Wolves Clash
Riccardo Calafiori’s availability had briefly come into doubt after the Italian defender exited the warm-up prior to Arsenal’s 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Wigan Athletic on Sunday, despite being slated to start.
However, the issue proved minor. Arteta has since confirmed that Calafiori has returned to training and is expected to be available for Wednesday’s match.
Arsenal have also received positive news regarding Ben White. The defender was forced off late against Wigan, sparking initial concern, but Arteta downplayed the severity of the issue, confirming that “he was feeling a bit of tightness in the hamstring, but he is fine.”
White’s availability provides a timely boost for a defense that has been tested throughout a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Recent form has been inconsistent for Arsenal. The team dropped points in draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest last month, before suffering a dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United on January 25.
Convincing victories over Leeds United and Sunderland followed, but the dropped points against Brentford served as another reminder of how fine the margins remain in the title race.
The Gunners Await Key Returns Ahead of Crucial Derby
Maintaining squad fitness will be essential as Arsenal pursue their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 season, having finished second in each of the past three campaigns.
Captain Martin Odegaard and forward Kai Havertz will miss the Wolves clash, but both players are progressing well and could return in time for Sunday’s derby against Tottenham.
“For Wolves (Odegaard) is not going to be fit, but for Sunday we are very hopeful that he can be with us,” Arteta told reporters, via Sky Sports. “Kai is the other one, but again for the weekend he’s a possibility, so we are looking forward to having him in the squad.”
Havertz had recently regained form after returning from a long-term knee injury, contributing two goals and two assists in his last four appearances before being sidelined again with a muscular issue.
Odegaard, meanwhile, has endured a stop-start season due to injury setbacks. Although he completed 90 minutes against Brentford, he was seen limping afterwards, with the issue later confirmed as a minor knee concern.
Their potential return could prove decisive, particularly with Tottenham entering a period of transition. Spurs have not played since their February 10 home defeat to Newcastle, a result that led to Thomas Frank’s dismissal.
Former Juventus manager Igor Tudor has since taken interim charge, with Sunday’s derby marking his first game in charge, adding another layer of intensity to one of the Premier League’s fiercest rivalries.
For Arsenal, Wednesday’s clash offers more than just three points. It provides a chance to restore momentum, strengthen their title push, and build confidence ahead of a defining week.
Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans
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