Mikel Arteta has confirmed fresh injury concerns within the Arsenal squad, revealing that Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori are all being monitored following recent knocks.
Odegaard was a notable absentee from the matchday squad as Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The midfielder had already hinted at the issue in the match programme, admitting he was “sore” after sustaining the knock during Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Arteta confirmed the situation ahead of the Wigan clash, stressing that patience is required before any firm conclusions are drawn.
“We have to wait and see. He picked up a knock when we conceded [vs Brentford],” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
The Gunners’ injury list is already stretched, with Kai Havertz, Mikel Merino and Max Dowman sidelined, and Arteta acknowledged the shifting nature of the problems his squad is facing.
“Before it was the strikers and then defenders, now it is midfielders. We are still coping.”
Despite progressing comfortably into the fifth round of the FA Cup, Arsenal’s afternoon was not without concern.
Calafiori was forced to withdraw from the starting XI just before kick-off, while White was seen limping off during the contest, adding further uncertainty ahead of a busy run of fixtures.
Arteta offered a brief update after the match, underlining that clarity should come soon.
“Him [Calafiori] and Ben [White] are the only doubts. We have to wait and see in the next 48 hours to find out.”
With momentum building on the pitch, Arsenal will now hope the knocks prove minor as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
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