Kai Havertz is expected to be available for Arsenal again in their second match against Atlético Madrid. Mikel Arteta had high praise for the national team striker on Friday—except when it came to one question.
In their quest to reach the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years, Arsenal FC is getting a last-minute boost. As Mikel Arteta announced on Friday, Kai Havertz has a chance to be part of the squad for the Champions League semifinal second leg against Atlético Madrid this coming Tuesday (9 p.m.) in London.
“Hopefully he’ll be available again against Atlético,” the Gunners’ manager said confidently. “He’s giving his all in every way to make that happen.” On Saturday, however, when Arsenal look to gain ground on Manchester City in the Premier League title race against Fulham, Havertz will once again be absent.
“We’re talking about one of our most important attacking players”
The 26-year-old national team striker missed the first half of the season due to a knee injury and was sidelined for several weeks again in February due to a muscle injury, before injury woes struck once more in April. This time, however, Havertz appears to be missing only two competitive matches—the first leg at Atletico (1-1) and the clash with Fulham.
“We’ve really missed him,” Arteta said on Friday, looking back on Havertz’s season so far. “We’re talking about one of our most important attacking players. He’s been out for seven or eight months now. Unfortunately, he’s not the only one with a long-term injury, but the team has shown an incredible ability to cope with such situations.”
The Spaniard was notably more tight-lipped when asked about Havertz’s future. The former Leverkusen player is under contract until 2028, and in the medium term, both sides will have to make a decision about the way forward. “Now is not the time for such discussions,” Arteta brushed off the question. “Right now, the focus must be on his fitness and his performance. Kai is desperate to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.“
Like Havertz, right-back Jurrien Timber will also miss the match against Fulham; Arteta did not offer a prognosis regarding the Atletico game. And Martin Ödegaard? The captain had to be substituted early in the first leg in Madrid and is at least doubtful for Saturday. ”We’ll see,” was all Arteta would say.