Mikel Arteta reacts to Kai Havertz blow but confirms one Arsenal star is set to return
'We were having a great camp in Dubai. Then the injury happened in unexpected way...'
Mikel Arteta has shared more details on Kai Havertz’s season-ending injury and has given a major update on Bukayo Saka and Ben White’s fitness.
After a week away training in Dubai, Arsenal are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Leicester City in the Premier League.
But their pursuit of Liverpool in the title race has taken another major blow, as it was confirmed on Thursday that Havertz would miss the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Gabriel Jesus is also ruled out indefinitely with a knee issue while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martielli remain in the treatment room.
As a result, Arteta’s forward options have been limited to just Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling – the trio have scored a combined seven goals in the the league.
Though he had come under a lot of criticism lately, Havertz was Arsenal’s top scorer, with 15 goals across all competitions, but despite the injury heartbreak, Arteta tried to appear upbeat in his pre-match press conference.
‘We were having a great camp in Dubai, recharging , training, connecting with nature and different environment,’ the manager said on Friday.
‘Then the injury happened in unexpected way, it’s a big blow because of injuries we have. He was going to stop a shot after a set-piece, he stretched his leg and that’s it he felt his hamstring.
‘Fortunately we have been through a lot this season, it’s the challenge I have. We love it. Let’s see what the team is made of.’
There was some good news from the treatment room however, with Saka progressing well with his recovery while Ben White could make his return against Leicester.
‘It’s too early, he [Saka] is in early stage of rehab. When he’s closer, doing more workload, we will see how he is,’ Arteta added.
‘Ben White is in training more regularly now. We have to manage his load, but he is available.’
The English defender has not played since mid-November after undergoing knee surgery.
Arsenal are among several Premier League sides that have been decimated by injuries this season. Asked why he felt this had happened, Arteta said: ‘With the loads and minutes, it’s inevitable. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
‘This season it’s the accumulation of that, the stress. Is it luck? Certainly the schedule is demanding, and for explosive players it becomes an issue.
‘We train less than ever. We have less time for training. The problem is that the muscles are then over-trained, so the muscles and tendons are not prepared to absorb the stress and don’t have time to recover either.’
More to follow…
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