Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Kai Havertz could return from injury this season in surprise boost

Evening Standard

·11 April 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals Kai Havertz could return from injury this season in surprise boost

Havertz had previously been expected to be out until the summer after hamstring surgery

Big boost: Kai Havertz is pushing to play again this season

OneFootball Videos

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Kai Havertz could provide Arsenal with a major boost by returning from injury before the end of the season.

The German has been out with a hamstring injury since the start of February and had to undergo surgery, with the club confirming at the time that his recovery was “expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season”.

However, Havertz has made good progress in recent weeks and could yet feature again in the closing stages of the campaign.

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka from a hamstring injury and he has hit the ground running, shining against Real Madrid in midweek, and Arteta revealed Havertz is similarly desperate to make a swift comeback.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash at home to Brentford on Saturday, Arteta was asked if there is a chance Havertz’s season is not over.

“Let’s see,” he said. “Every injury isn’t the same.

“The mindset of those two though is very similar. Great injury history, great work ethic, desperate to get back playing as quick as possible - and a great medical staff as well to look after them.

“So hopefully we can have him [before the end of the season], but let’s wait. Once you get to the last stage of that rehab, you can understand better how close or far you are to make that next step.”

Riccardo Calafiori is another Arsenal player pushing to return from injury, having picked up a knee issue while on international duty with Italy last month.

His availability would be crucial for Arteta heading into the final weeks of the season, particularly with Gabriel missing the rest of the campaign due to a hamstring injury.

“Riccy is progressing really well,” Arteta said.

“I think to give you a timeline is difficult because he needs to step up, especially having more people around and how he reacts to that. But he is in a good place I think.”