Kai Havertz is set to return to training at Arsenal after a three-week break, and even a appearance in the London derby against Chelsea does not seem out of the question. In addition, coach Mikel Arteta can rely on his in-form striker.
Mikel Arteta cannot rely on tips from his old mentor in the championship race. The Gunners currently have a five-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who have played one game less.
Could Guardiola, six-time English champion with City, share some of his experience on how to deal with the pressure of being in the lead at the press conference ahead of matchday 28? “I can’t remember,” replied the 55-year-old with a mischievous smile. “I’m not here to give Mikel advice.”
Gyökeres? An “incredible striker”
So the Arsenal coach will have to see for himself how he gets the Gunners over the line in the remaining ten games. He wants to see “signs of confidence, enthusiasm and the will to win,” Arteta emphasized on Friday. “And I see that every day from the team.”
Ideally, that will also be the case on Sunday, when the top match in the Premier League is scheduled: the London derby, Arsenal against Chelsea. Among others, Viktor Gyökeres, an “incredible striker” who has scored five goals in the last five league games and is in correspondingly good form, should help.
“We need to continue to feed him with his qualities, we need to understand him better. He needs to understand the team and the league better. But I think we’re on the right track,” Arteta continued.
Havertz set for comeback after weeks on the sidelines
The Basque coach expects the Blues to be very versatile on Sunday, “they can also change things during the game. They have the players to do so and a coach who is very comfortable with that. But we are prepared.” Arteta also had some good news regarding the squad – even if he didn’t want to reveal his hand just yet.
However, Kai Havertz, who has missed the last four competitive games due to a muscle injury, will return to training on Saturday. Arteta is “hopeful” about the 26-year-old’s availability for the Chelsea game. A decision will only be made after training: “We’ll see.”
Meanwhile, youngster Max Dowman, who has been out of action for months with an ankle injury, is set to make his comeback in the U21s. The 16-year-old is expected to play his first minutes since the end of November.