Arsenal release three-word injury update as Mikel Arteta huge step closer to dream scenario
Kai Havertz has been out for four months with a knee injury, but the German striker appears to have taken a step closer to returning to Arsenal.
Kai Havertz appears to have made considerable progress in his return from a long-standing knee problem. The German star has been out for the past four months due to a knee injury, but was spotted on the London Colney turf ahead of the club’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
After a brief substitute outing on the opening day of the season, against Manchester United, Havertz picked up a knee problem which required minor surgery. He was expected to return in late November or early December, but remained sidelined during that time.
Concerns had arisen that he had recently suffered another setback in his rehabilitation. But Arteta appeared to brush aside those concerns ahead of the win over Everton.
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Speaking about Havertz, the Arsenal manager revealed: “He’s progressing very well and quite quickly in recent weeks.
“We are really convinced that if everything continues like this in the next training sessions, he will be with us.”
Arteta’s comments proved true on Monday evening with Havertz spotted in training. The Gunners also shared three images of the 26-year-old working out in the gym, alongside the message: “Step by step.”
Havertz’s return arriving just before the hectic Christmas fixture list will provide a huge boost to Arteta, although it has coincided with further concerns as Piero Hincapie was nowhere to be seen in Monday’s training photos.
Elsewhere, former Man City striker Gabriel Jesus is being treated carefully after a long spell out, with some promising performances positioning him to potentially start in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash.
Arteta said: “Yes, he is (ready to start). You can see now, not just in matches, every day in training, how much he wants it. He will soon earn his chance.”
The Gunners, however, are still facing several injury problems. That’s with Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Max Dowman currently sidelined.
The former has been absent since the November international break, although he is getting closer to a return and could even return before the end of the year.
Arteta commented earlier this month: “He’s pushing hard like he always does every time he’s out and he’s progressing really well, he’s been doing pitching sessions so he’s not too far away, we have to see in the final stages of rehabilitation how he progresses – but we’re pretty positive about him.”
Arsenal have an excellent chance of securing a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals as they meet a seriously weakened and potentially depleted Palace side.
Oliver Glasner is missing Daniel Munoz and Daichi Kamada due to injury, while Jean-Phillipe Mateta is also battling an issue which led to the former requiring surgery.