Arsenal Injury Crisis Hits Before Wolves, Spurs & Chelsea 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal have suffered a fresh injury concern as they prepare for important Premier League games against Wolves, Tottenham, and Chelsea.​
• The Gunners continued their good form with a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday, looking fluent and confident while keeping hopes alive for every competition.​
• Arsenal face Wolves as soon as Wednesday night, followed by the North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, and then Chelsea the following Sunday, as they aim to protect their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
• Multiple reports highlight an ongoing injury crisis, with key defenders like William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, and Ben White sidelined.
• Midfielders Mikel Merino (stress fracture, surgery on 9 February 2026, out until May/June), Martin Odegaard, and Declan Rice (illness doubts) are among the absentees.
• Attackers including Kai Havertz (muscular injury, out for at least four games including Wolves and Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Martinelli (groin), and Leandro Trossard (thigh) add to the concerns.
• Youngster Max Dowman is recovering from an ankle ligament injury, potentially returning in February 2026.
• Mikel Arteta has expressed concerns over the “dangerous circle” of injuries shifting from strikers to defenders and midfielders, emphasising the need for returns to provide options.​
• Arsenal lead the Premier League by six points, but the injury list threatens their quadruple bid.

Arsenal FC,(North London News) February 16, 2026 – Arsenal have picked up a fresh injury concern ahead of their clashes with Wolves, Tottenham, and Chelsea, as reported by Jamie Kemble of London World. The Gunners impressed with a fluent 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday, maintaining their strong form and ambitions across all competitions. However, the demanding schedule resumes on Wednesday night against Wolves, with no respite before the North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday and a blockbuster against Chelsea the following weekend, as the league leaders seek to hold their position atop the table.

What is the latest fresh injury concern for Arsenal?

As reported by Jamie Kemble of London World, Arsenal have suffered a fresh injury concern amid preparations for these crucial fixtures. Mikel Arteta fears the club’s quadruple bid could be derailed after Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White joined the lengthening injury list, according to the Mirror. Arteta stated,

“Yes, especially as we’ve seen this shift from strikers to defenders and now to midfielders, yet we are managing to cope with it,”

when questioned about squad depth worries ahead of Wolves at home on Wednesday.

In the Evening Standard update, Cristhian Mosquera’s ankle issue is described as “complicated,” with the summer signing out since early December, missing games like the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa. Arteta admitted last month,

“He’s going to be out for weeks unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected,”

with a potential return eyed for mid-January but now extended.

Who are Arsenal’s key injured players ahead of Wolves?

Defensive woes dominate, with William Saliba sidelined by an ankle injury and knock, Gabriel Magalhaes out with a thigh/adductor issue, and Jurrien Timber doubtful. Daily Cannon’s injury table, last updated 13 February after Brentford, lists Gabriel (thigh, 9 matches missed), Cristhian Mosquera (ankle, 11 missed), and Ben White (knock, hamstring, 7 missed).

Mikel Merino underwent surgery for a right foot stress fracture on 9 February, with recovery projected to May at earliest or June/July. Kai Havertz picked up a muscular injury, set to miss at least four games including Brentford, Wigan, Wolves, and the Tottenham derby, as per Sky Sports. Bukayo Saka (hamstring, hip; 7 missed), Gabriel Martinelli (groin, knock; 4 missed), and Leandro Trossard (thigh; 3 missed) further deplete options.

As detailed by Football.London ahead of Wolves, Arsenal lack Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Mosquera, with Timber doubtful. Young Max Dowman, who impressed in pre-season, suffered an ankle ligament injury in a U21 friendly and is in training but out until February, per Evening Standard and Daily Cannon.

How has Mikel Arteta responded to Arsenal’s injury crisis?

Mikel Arteta warned of a “really dangerous circle” as injuries pile up, denying overtraining claims and citing the tight schedule, ahead of Champions League games, according to YouTube reports and Arsenal Insider. In The Guardian, Arteta relished the challenge, saying,

“We had a wonderful training camp in Dubai… then this injury happened in an unforeseen manner. It’s certainly a significant setback given our injury woes,”

listing absentees like Gabriel Magalhães, Saliba, White, Tomiyasu, Calafiori, Merino, Ødegaard, and Saka.​​

Arteta added to Mirror,

“We require some players to return to fitness, not just for numbers, but to provide us with varied options against different opponents. The sooner they recover, the better for us.”

On Mosquera, he disclosed, “The player felt it, so he will be sidelined for some time… it’s more than we anticipated,” estimating six to eight weeks. Regarding Dowman, Arteta noted,

“With Max, unfortunately, he picked up an injury, so we did some scans and he is going to be out.”

What are Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures and challenges?

Arsenal host Wolves on Wednesday (18 February), travel to Tottenham for the North London derby on Sunday (22 February), then welcome Chelsea on 1 March, per Football.London and Teamtalk. These follow the 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan, with no rest amid the top-of-table push.

Football.London compares Arsenal’s next five: Wolves (A) 18 Feb, Tottenham (A) 22 Feb, Chelsea (H) 1 Mar, Brighton (A) 4 Mar, Everton (H) 15 Mar, stressing focus to avoid complacency. The Gunners lead by six points, but injuries test their depth in this run.

Express reports Arteta hopeful on Declan Rice, who missed midweek Champions League due to illness after a calf fatigue, but could feature against Wolves. Rice played post-Brentford recovery but sat out Club Brugge; Arteta indicated positivity for the weekend.​

Which Arsenal players might return soon?

Optimism surrounds some: Daily Cannon anticipates Max Dowman’s February return post-ankle. Saliba could be days away from a knock, per AFTV, potentially for Wolves (13 Dec in older report, but contextually relevant). Rice is expected back post-illness for Wolves.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are being assessed, with Calafiori missing Italy games but possibly available, per Yahoo Sports on Tottenham preview. However, Football Place notes White expected to miss Wolves and Tottenham, targeting Chelsea return on 1 March.

How does Arsenal’s injury list compare historically?

Daily Cannon tracks long-term absences: Gabriel Jesus (ACL, 55 matches missed), Havertz (knee, muscular; 30), Odegaard (shoulder x2, knee; 14). This season’s list echoes past crises, but Arteta’s side has persevered, winning three straight against Tottenham historically, per ESPN.

Premier Injuries and Premier League official sites confirm club-by-club woes, with Arsenal’s defenders hit hardest. Arteta’s management minimises risks, as with Gabriel’s thigh niggle.

What does this mean for Arsenal’s title hopes?

The injury crisis threatens Arsenal’s lead, but recent form like the Wigan rout shows resilience. Arteta urges, “Let’s see what we’re made of,” per Guardian, amid a title push despite shifting absences. With Wolves, derby, and Chelsea looming, returns are vital to sustain the quadruple dream.

As London World notes, there’s no rest for the Gunners post-FA Cup success. Squad depth will be tested, but Arteta’s coping strategy—relying on youth like Dowman and rotations—offers hope.