Why Mikel Arteta is considering pre-match changes after ‘very unusual’ issues at Arsenal – ‘We have to learn’

The amount of injuries Arsenal are picking up in pre-match warm-ups is beginning to worry Mikel Arteta. Ricardo Calafiori sustained a minor fitness issue ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round win over Wigan on Sunday. That was the fourth such incident for a Gunners player during the current season. Arteta has confirmed the club are looking into how to minimise the risk of further injuries.

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Mikel Arteta admits he is concerned at the number of players who are picking up injuries in Arsenal's pre-match warm-up routines.

Riccardo Calafiori failed to make the starting line-up for the Gunners' FA Cup win over Wigan on Sunday after sustaining a problem.

That was already the second time this season that the Italian has suffered a late fitness issue, having also done so ahead of the 2-1 victory against Brighton in December.

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With a similar fate having struck down Bukayo Saka and William Saliba over the course of the campaign, Arteta is looking at ways to minimise the risk of injury.

"I was a player as well and we like certain routines," Arteta said.

"That's the way you tell your body 'it is coming, it is coming, it is coming.' To change that sometimes is tricky.

"It is a really good area to have a look. What would happen if we don't do the warm-up?

"Because at half-time, we go and sit almost for 15 minutes and then go full gas in the second half. Maybe it is something to think about."

There is no particular trend in the injuries that have been picked up. Calafiori's problem in December was muscular, whereas Saliba picked up an ankle problem ahead of the Liverpool clash in August.

Saka, on the other hand, suffered from a sore hip that ruled him out of a match-up with Leeds earlier this month.

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"They were very different," Arteta said. "The first one was Willy when he rolled his ankle against Liverpool. Then we had two incidents with Riccy in the warm-up in a really similar way.

"The other one was Bukayo after he rested in midweek, he didn't play against Kairat, and then against Leeds he gets an injury.

"[It is] Very unusual. Probably happened once or twice in six years I have been here and it happened four times there.

"So obviously we are looking at it. On Willy's one, very difficult to see.

"Sometimes, as well, you want to try and test a player before to see if they are ready and the warm-up is another opportunity to do it.

"Bukayo's is very random because he never gave any symptoms or signals that this could happen in the warm-up. It is what it is, we have to learn."

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Calafiori should be fit for Arsenal's clash with Wolves on Wednesday night. The fixture has been moved forward due to the Gunners making next month's Carabao Cup final, when they'll take on Manchester City at Wembley.

With no other midweek matches in the Premier League, it gives them a chance to move seven points clear at the top of the table.

Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz will be absent, but there is better news for both ahead of this weekend's North London Derby.

"(Martin’s) not going to be fit, but for Sunday we’re very hopeful that he can be with us," Arteta added.

"Kai is the other one that, again, for the weekend is a possibility, so looking forward to having him in the squad."

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