Mikel Arteta has delivered a significant boost for Arsenal fans, confirming that key forward Kai Havertz is on the verge of a first-team return after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Arteta's Timeline for Havertz Comeback
The German international, who was Arsenal's top scorer in the Premier League last season with nine goals, has been absent since undergoing knee surgery in August. A subsequent setback in his rehabilitation delayed an initial December return, but the manager now offers a promising update. "I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks," Arteta stated. "He's a player that we miss a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So I'm really happy to have him back very soon."
Havertz was even considered for the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace, indicating his advanced stage of recovery. While Saturday's match against Brighton may come too soon, his return will provide vital competition for places alongside Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Jesus, who recently made his own comeback after nearly a year out.
Injury Concerns in Defence and Attack
Arteta's squad news was not entirely positive, however. The manager revealed that Gabriel Martinelli is a doubt with a knee problem, while defender Piero Hincapié picked up an unspecified issue against Everton. At the back, Gabriel Magalhães continues his rehabilitation and is hoped to be in contention in the new year, forcing the continued use of a makeshift central pairing—the eighth different combination Arsenal have fielded this season.
Arsenal's Improved Discipline Record
In a notable shift from last campaign, Arsenal currently lead the Premier League's fair play table. They have received just 22 yellow cards and no red cards in 17 games, a stark contrast to the six dismissals that hampered their previous title challenge. The first of those reds came in the corresponding fixture against Brighton last August, when Declan Rice was controversially sent off. Arteta, recalling the frustration of that day, said: "Hopefully it's going to be very different next time."
With Havertz's imminent return adding firepower, and a more disciplined approach underpinning their league-leading form, Arteta will be optimistic his squad can maintain their momentum in the coming weeks.
