Arteta gives unexpected Kai Havertz injury update | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta is optimistic about Kai Havertz’s chances of featuring again this season, but the timeline remains uncertain as the midfielder recovers from surgery.

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Mikel Arteta remains hopeful that Kai Havertz will play again this season despite initial reports that the German international’s hamstring injury would rule him out until summer.

Havertz sustained the injury in early February during a training session in Dubai, where his hamstring snapped and required surgery. The severity of the injury meant that Arsenal medical staff were reluctant to project any return date earlier than next season.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Brentford, Arteta offered the clearest sign yet that the 25-year-old could make it back in time to feature before the campaign ends. “Hopefully, we can have him back [before the end of the season],” Arteta said.

“Let’s see, every injury isn’t the same. The mindset of those two [Saka and Havertz], though, is very, very similar.

“[He has a] great injury history, great work ethic, he’s desperate to get back playing as quickly as possible, and great medical staff as well to look after them.

“So hopefully we can have him, but let’s wait, I think. Once you get to the last stage of that rehab that’s when you can understand better how close or far you are to making that next step.”

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

The timeline remains cautious. Havertz is still recovering from surgery, and while the hope is to have him available by the final few fixtures, including a potential European semi-final or final, there has been no official return date confirmed.

Meanwhile, in a positive update ahead of the weekend, Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice have both shaken off knocks from the Real Madrid game and will be available against Brentford. “So, with Dec and Bukayo they are both fit. It was a matter of two kicks, they are available for tomorrow,” Arteta said.

There was also an update on Riccardo Calafiori, who is recovering from a knee issue but is not yet ready for selection. “To give you a timeline is difficult,” Arteta said, “but he is progressing well. He needs to step up, especially having more people around and how he reacts after that. But he’s in a good place.”