Mikel Arteta revealed that Kai Havertz is close to returning from injury while defender Gabriel Magalhaes remains out, even as Gabriel Jesus successfully returns to full fitness.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Kai Havertz is nearing a first-team return following a long-term knee injury sustained in August.
The German international recently returned to training, providing a significant boost to the Gunners’ attacking options ahead of their Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Regarding Havertz’s fitness, Arteta noted: “I think it will be a matter of days, if not weeks. Let’s see in the next step how he responds to that.”
While Havertz nears a comeback, the defensive situation remains a concern as Gabriel Magalhaes continues his rehabilitation.
The Brazilian center-back has been unavailable since the November international break and has yet to resume full team training.
Highlighting the urgency in the back line, Arteta explained: “We’ll have to wait and see. He hasn’t trained yet, he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible because we know the situation that we have in the back line.”
In more positive news, Gabriel Jesus is fully fit after making his 100th appearance for the club during the midweek Carabao Cup win.
Jesus, who recovered from a significant knee injury of his own, is being carefully managed by the medical staff.
Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the striker’s progress, stating: “He’s very fit. We’ve been gradually increasing his minutes. But as long as he was OK, everybody was happy to let him go on.”