Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that injured makeshift striker Kai Havertz could make a return from his hamstring injury before the end of the current campaign.
Havertz sustained the injury back in February and early assessments suggested that he might miss the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.
Arsenal initially struggled to create chances from open play following the German’s absence which was further compounded by injuries to key attacking duo Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, the team has since regained its rhythm, boosted by the return of Saka and Martinelli as well as central midfielder Mikel Merino’s surprisingly easy adaptation to a more advanced role.
While Havertz remains a few weeks away from returning, Arteta offered a positive update, suggesting the 25-year-old could be back on the pitch sooner than originally anticipated.
“If I had to bet on him earlier than expected, I would say yes,” Arteta revealed.
“The way he works every day in that gym, pushing everybody, I don’t think you can hold him much longer.”
Arteta also touched on the potential availability of injured duo Ricardo Calafiori and Jorginho ahead of their Champions League semi finals against Paris Saint-Germain after revealing the two-legged tie set for April 29 and May 7 will be “too soon” for Havertz comeback.
“If everything goes well, I think so,” Arteta said of Calafiori’s hopes of facing PSG.
“Maybe a little bit earlier. So, let’s see. He’s on the pitch already, he’s done quite a lot of stuff and we just need to make the right steps now to make sure that when he’s back he’s in a good place to perform.
“[Jorginho] is probably a question for the doctor, it’s quite a specific and difficult matter, so I will leave that to the club to make an analysis.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
