Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal are reassessing their pre-match warmup routines after a concerning spate of injuries to four players in recent weeks. Riccardo Calafiori became the latest casualty, withdrawn minutes before their FA Cup win over Wigan after suffering a muscular problem. The Gunners boss admitted the incidents have made him more anxious in the build-up to games.

Calafiori's withdrawal marks the second time he's been forced out of a warmup this season, having previously missed a month after breaking down before facing Brighton. Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have also suffered similar fitness scares, with Saka unable to play against Leeds and Saliba lasting just five minutes at Liverpool after feeling an injury during warmup. Arteta noted these incidents have occurred four times in six years, making the recent cluster particularly unusual.

Arteta is now considering radical changes, including potentially scrapping warmups entirely. "What would happen if we don't do the warmup?" he questioned, noting that players sit for 15 minutes at halftime before going "full gas" in the second half. The manager believes these incidents have made him a better coach, forcing him to prepare for more contingencies. Calafiori and Ben White are expected to be available for Wednesday's trip to Wolves, while Kai Havertz may recover in time, though Martin Ødegaard will miss out.