Arsenal return to Champions League action this week with the Gunners in a commanding position to qualify for the last-16
The reaction from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after their clash at Wolves on Saturday was lively, as expected, as his side rallied to win late. After going down to 10 players in the first half when Myles Lewis-Skelly was controversially sent off, Arsenal dominated the second half as Joao Gomes was sent off for Wolves.
Mikel Arteta believes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are full of confidence again and ready to spark Arsenal ’s attack into life. The pair have endured difficult seasons, but both have begun to find form over the past 10 days.
When Arsenal’s team news for the trip to Molineux was released, the Gunners faithful were left immediately concerned by the absence of two figures in midfield. Odegaard wasn’t on the teamsheet, while Merino’s name was also missing.
Despite Riccardo Calafiori's brilliance against Wolves, Declan Rice was the real difference-maker in a much needed 1-0 win.
William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly returned in the battling win over Wolves on Saturday, but Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card in that match and faces a suspension unless it is overturned. There was also fresh issues for Mikel Arteta to contend with, as Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino were ruled out of the trip to Molineux.
Skelly’s knee injury is “nothing serious” and a late call will be made on his and William Saliba’s availability for Arsenal’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday. Lewis-Skelly picked up the injury during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on January 17 but played the entire match.
Arteta has shown a propensity to speak his mind this season, whether red cards he's never seen before, penalties that fit the same description, or even the balls used in different competitions, so get your popcorn ready.
Nwaneri’s return is timely given Arsenal are light on options in attack. The 17-year-old scored in back-to-back games before his injury, emerging as an option on the right flank in the absence of Bukayo Saka. “It was a big setback because he (Nwaneri) was getting some consistency and more minutes,” said Arteta.
After the injuries of key players Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta addressed the transfer options for January.
Arteta explained: “They’ve all been there, we have very short numbers for many weeks, they recognise the situation. Sometimes I consult the players on signings, especially if they know them. It’s away from the computer and the data, they can sense it, they know about them.”