Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal fitness boosts for four players

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has delivered a mixed injury bulletin ahead of the club’s congested run of fixtures, confirming that captain Martin Ødegaard and forward Kai Havertz remain unavailable for Wednesday’s Premier League meeting with Wolves but could return in time for Sunday’s north-London derby.

Ødegaard sat out Sunday’s FA Cup third-round victory over Wigan Athletic, while Havertz has missed the last two matches after tightening up a hamstring. Arteta told reporters that both players are progressing well and have an outside chance of featuring at the weekend.

“For Wolves, he [Ødegaard] is not going to be fit, but for Sunday we are very hopeful that he can be with us,” Arteta said. “Kai is the other one that, again, for the weekend is a possibility, so we’re looking forward to having him in the squad.”

In more encouraging news, the Gunners have regained the services of defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White. Calafiori was withdrawn during the warm-up before the Wigan tie, while White was substituted late in the same game after reporting fatigue.

“He [Calafiori] is fine,” Arteta confirmed. “He was training with us today, feeling better, and hopefully he’s fit for tomorrow.”

On White, the Spaniard added: “It was just a bit of fatigue. He did a lot in the game and by the end of it he was feeling a bit of tightness in the hamstring, but he’s fine.”

With the Molineux clash followed swiftly by the derby, Arteta will hope the returning defenders can provide immediate reinforcement as Arsenal look to maintain momentum on multiple fronts.

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