Ahead of the Champions League semi-final, Arsenal have picked up three Premier League points but lost two players. How bad was it for Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze?
Kai Havertz suffered another physical setback shortly before the Champions League semi-final. The international, who has missed more games than he has played this season, was forced off in the 34th minute of Arsenal’s 1-0 home win over Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
“He had a little ache,” was how coach Mikel Arteta described it later at his press conference, when he had not yet spoken to Havertz. “It didn’t look too bad because the action, as he describes it, wasn’t too violent, but we’ll have to wait and see.” It was something “muscular”.
At the very least, Havertz’s involvement is likely to be in doubt on Wednesday, when the Gunners play Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the semi-final of the Premier League. The 26-year-old, who is set to be a permanent fixture in Germany’s World Cup squad this summer, was ruled out until the end of 2025 with a knee injury and had to sit out again in February due to a muscular injury.
Eze already back on Wednesday?
On Saturday, Havertz had prepared the winning goal before his early exit when he laid off to Eberechi Eze after a short corner (9th). The goalscorer himself was also unable to continue shortly after the break (53) but, like Havertz, does not appear to be out for long. “We don’t think it’s anything serious,” said Arteta and did not rule out Eze’s involvement on Wednesday – nor Havertz’s.
With the hard-fought victory – Newcastle were 1.0 to 0.49 ahead in the xGoals – the Gunners regained top spot in the Premier League for the time being ahead of Manchester City, who reached the FA Cup final against Southampton FC on Saturday and therefore had a break in the league. “We did our job,” said a relieved Arteta. “I don’t expect it to be a path full of roses and beautiful music after 22 years without a league title.”
