By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal FC have earned their place at the top of the table as they return to Premier League action away to Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
Speaking during the press conference ahead of the match, Arteta confirmed Arsenal lead the league by four points and stressed that his confidence in a potential title push is based on the daily standards he sees from his squad.
“My belief comes from what I see every day. The preparation, the attitude, and how much the players want it,” Arteta said.
On team injury update, Arteta provided positive fitness news, confirming Riccardo Calafiori trained fully and is expected to be available.
Ben White’s substitution in the previous match was described as fatigue-related, with no serious injury concerns.
Captain Martin Odegaard will miss the Wolves game but could return for the weekend, while Kai Havertz remains a possibility depending on late assessments.
Arteta said squad availability will be key as Arsenal face a congested run of fixtures across multiple competitions.
Despite Arsenal’s strong league position, Arteta insisted his team is concentrating solely on the immediate challenge at Molineux.
He described Wolves as a difficult opponent and said Arsenal must reproduce their best performance to secure another victory.
“If we do the things we do well, we have a big chance to win,” he said.
Arteta highlighted the adaptability of his squad amid injuries, noting that several players have successfully taken on unfamiliar roles.
Bukayo Saka has featured centrally at times, while others have filled gaps across midfield and attack, Arteta revealed.
He also pointed to the growing on-field chemistry between Saka and Noni Madueke, saying their relationship has had a positive impact on team dynamics.
Arteta praised the contribution of his full-backs this season, saying their advanced positioning has added a new dimension to Arsenal’s play.
He also underlined the continued development of Declan Rice, describing the midfielder as an increasing attacking threat.
“He can hurt opponents from any position,” Arteta said.
Asked about Arsenal’s chances of pulling clear in the title race, Arteta said the focus remains on winning each match as it comes.
“That’s what we want to do. The more we win, the better position we’ll be in,” he said.
With Arsenal leading the league and entering a decisive phase of the season, Arteta said his squad is in a strong emotional state and ready for the challenge ahead.
“Our job now is simple,” he added. “Keep performing and keep winning.”
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