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Follow live as Mikel Arteta speaking before Arsenal's Premier League game against Wolves on Wednesday The Gunners can go seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City with a win Opponents Wolves sit rock bottom of the Premier League on nine points, 18 adrift of safety Team news: Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White both training and could feature but Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard remain out Arteta says his side's performances this season give him 'confidence' that they can go on and win the league title Plus, England forward Bukayo Saka signs new deal to become Arsenal's best-paid player Craig Nelson & Sarah Rendell. Alex Howell BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium Mikel Arteta was in good spirits as he previewed Arsenal's game with Wolves on Wednesday evening. The Gunners boss provided a fitness update, saying Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are out of the match with Wolves tomorrow but could be back for the match against of Tottenham on Sunday. Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori trained and are expected to be available for tomorrow. He also gave insight into the relationship between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke and how Saka has adapted to playing as a number 10. Click 'Get Involved' to have your say [On Bukayo Saka], simply put and in my humble opinion - Our Star Boy! Ridiculous statistics in general - attacking output (not just goals and assists), adaptability to multiple positions, almost an ever present for Arsenal and England and equally as important as a human being. Just a GEM! Faith, Islington Fantastic news about Saka! Underrated by so many, but loved by those who watch him regularly. He has grown from strength to strength, and hopefully the run to the end of the season (and summer) will end in gold. LJ, Liverpool Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the Premier League title race and if he has the confidence to go and win the trophy: "What gives me the confidence is what we have done up to now, every single day. We are in every competition, the manner we have done it, with all the challenges we have faced already gives me confidence. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on building back bravery in players when they return from injury: "It is really difficult to replicate something you don't want to replicate, the actual action that got a player injured. It is a tricky zone. Sometimes it has to happen naturally or the more you have players around and something unexpected happens. You go through them almost without realising sometimes - it is the best way. " On whether a player can 100% recover their "spring" after a muscle injury: "It depends on the injury. If it is a hamstring you have to reproduce an action at max speed. You have the handbrake on a little because you don't want to expose. I think part of the rehab is to give reassurance to do the exercises, the treatment that the players need so when they are there they are able to do the action when the game requires it. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Back to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and whether he is looking into the number of injuries his players have suffered during warm-ups before games: "Yeah, big time. They were very different. The first one was with Willi [Saliba] when he rolled his ankle against Liverpool. Then we had two incidents with Richy [Calafiorfi] in the warm-up in a really similar way. "And the other one was with Bukayo [Saka], after he was rested in midweek and didn't play against Kairat, then against Leeds. "It's very unusual. It probably happened once or twice, I think, in six years that I've been here and now it happened four times [this season]. "Obviously, we are looking into it. .. we have to learn. " Click 'Get Involved' to have your say We want your reaction to the news that Bukayo Saka has signed a new contract with Arsenal that will keep the England winger at the club until 2031. Get in touch using the Get Involved button. Sami Mokbel BBC Sport Senior football correspondent While we are talking about Bukayo Saka, the England winger has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal until 2031. Sources have told BBC Sport that the agreement will make Saka the club's best-paid player on wages in excess of £300, 000-a-week. Talks over a new deal have been ongoing for nearly a year, with Saka verbally agreeing to commit his future to the club in January. Saka signed his previous deal, which was due to expire in 2027, in 2023 but his renewal means the 24-year-old has committed his peak years to the Gunners. The news comes as a major boost for the Gunners, as they battle on four fronts to win silverware for the first time since 2020. Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the relationship between Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka as they are competing at club and international level: "This morning we had another one. We were in the gym and they were testing and everybody was trying to compete with each other and those two were hilarious as usual. "It is great to witness because it is natural. The way they like each other so much, they are constantly together and there is certain competition within the places, but they take it from an incredible side. "The team and them get the benefit of that. " And on if he spoke to Saka when he was thinking about signing Madueke: "Yes I did, especially with England as he knew him well. It is very important to look at the trajectory and how players and coaches feel about their experiences with him. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Bukayo Saka's impressive performances as a number 10 against Wigan: "Some circumstances can upset some players as well, sometimes it forces you to do certain things but Mikel [Merino] adapted incredibly well to the nine position because we missed Kai [Havertz] and Gabi [Jesus] at the time and now we have an issue with midfielders. "Players are stepping in and Bukayo is one we need to consider for the future. "It's really good especially how players respond to different tactical roles in the manner they are doing. " And on if Saka likes playing as a number 10: "I think he does and everything that brings a challenge to him. He needs to prove something I think, it does something to him and it is positive. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Mikel Arteta on whether he is wary of Wolves, following their positive performance in the reverse fixture at Arsenal in December: "When you get to the latter stages of the season you understand the importance of every win and what you have to do. The team are in a good emotional state, really looking forward to play tomorrow. Play with that energy, that confidence and I am sure we will continue to do what we have done. " And on getting back to the Premier League: "It's great to be in every competition, it's great to change the mood from competition to competition and adapt to that in the manner we are doing, so every competition is very welcome. " On whether Arsenal can keep winning games: "That is what we are aiming to do and, in the next few weeks, we want to be in the best position we can be. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on whether he keeps injured players around the squad, particularly with Mikel Merino out for several months: "There is a time for everything because it is what we want as a team and the players and families as well. It is a long-term injury so he is with us now and very involved with us in every meeting at the moment. "He [Merino] is going to have a [rest] period as well because the injury, mind and body demands some time in a different part of the world, next to his family, and then he will be back with us before the end of the season. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on pundits tipping Manchester City to win the Premier League and what his players think about that: "I don't know, we are looking at what we are doing and especially what we have to do in the present times. Tomorrow we have to perform against Wolves to do it better and win the game. " And on Wolves boss Rob Edwards: "He came in a really difficult moment for the club and I know how he feels about the club and the way he works and it is going to be very tough. If we do the things we do well we have a big chance to win the game and we need to play as well with a purpose and confidence. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta senses his team is in a good emotional state but knows at the closing stages of the season every game is key. In the Chinese year of the horse, Arteta was asked whether his side were capable of "galloping away with the title" - a little perplexed, he said "that's what we hope to do". More to follow. Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on if the Wigan result in the FA Cup is just what the squad needed: "Very little time to reset because we play a game tomorrow and then on Sunday again and then we continue to play. But it was really good because it means we are in a really good competition in a really strong position. "It was good because I liked a lot what the players delivered. Some players in the end had many minutes and that teaches you the way we attack the game, it was very impressive. " And on the team enjoying the FA Cup game: "The position we are in is a privilege and we take it and because we have earned it. For so long, seven-and-a-half months is a long time to every single day do the right things and perform at the level we are performing. "We need to embrace that. Tomorrow we know we are going to play a really difficult match, our recent past with them showed just how tough it was to win the three points. "I know Rob [Edwards, Wolves manager] really well and it is going to be a tough test. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Here are those full quotes from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on team news: "[Riccardo Calafiori] is fine. He was training with us today, he is feeling better and hopefully he is fit for tomorrow. "[Ben White] was just a bit of fatigue, obviously 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 is fine. "[Martin Odegaard] for Wolves he is not going to be fit, but for Sunday we are very hopeful he can be with us. Kai [Havertz] is another one where the weekend is a possibility. " Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal have had to contend with a few injuries this season and right now they do have an extensive list of players who are either out or doubts. The players who will not be available for their game against Wolves include Mikel Merino (ankle) and Max Dowman (ankle). Mikel Arteta added Kai Havertz (hamstring) and Martin Odegaard (knee) to that list of players definitely out for the Wolves game, but had more positive news on Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori. The latter two are the most recent casualties after picking up problems during last weekend's FA Cup victory against Wigan Athletic. Calafiori was replaced in the starting line-up after picking up an issue in the warm-up, while White had to be substituted late on with a knock. Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is talking now, he starts with some team news, saying Riccardo Calafiori is training and hopefully fit for the Wolves match, as is Ben White. But Arteta said that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are not fit but could be available for the weekend. Full quotes to follow. Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) Arsenal Arsenal may be four points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, but manager Mikel Arteta will be only too aware that they have missed chances to extend that advantage. In their last five top-flight matches, the Gunners have dropped seven points, with one defeat - at home to Manchester United - and draws at relegation strugglers Nottingham Forest and high-flying Brentford. Arsenal's last five Premier League results: Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) As mentioned, Arsenal hosted Wolves in the Premier League back in December. It took a long time for the goals to get flowing, but the Gunners came out on top in a 2-1 victory. Yet not one Arsenal player troubled the scorer - the Gunners edged the game thanks to own goals from Wolves' Sam Johnstone and Yerson Mosquera, while Tolu Arokodare scored in the right net for the visitors. The result does not tell the full story - Wolves effectively disrupted Arsenal's game plan and will be hoping to do the same on Wednesday. .. with a different outcome. Wolves v Arsenal (Wed, 20: 00 GMT) The countdown is ticking on Wolves' stay in the top-flight, with Rob Edwards' side now 18 points from safety with 12 matches left to play. Logic suggests they will be no match for Premier League leaders Arsenal, but performances, and to a certain extent results, have improved for Wolves under Edwards. And remember, Arsenal needed two own goals to beat the basement club 2-1 in the reverse fixture on 13 December. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.