Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are “desperate” to have Kai Havertz back from injury, but the forward is still “weeks” away from a return to action.Â
The Germany international is one of four players on the Gunners’ treatment table ahead of their Premier League meeting with Brentford on Wednesday evening.
Gabriel Magalhães is a few weeks away from making a full recovery from a thigh injury, but William Saliba and Leandro Trossard could be back in a “matter of days”.
Arsenal have been plagued by injuries this season, but Arteta has been boosted by the recent returns of Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
“The attitude towards it and the way the players are performing and giving absolutely everything they can to fulfil those absences has been the key of the season because we have had to deal with a lot already,” he said in his pre-match conference on Tuesday.
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Arteta ‘desperate’ to have Arsenal star back from injury
Havertz has been sidelined by a knee issue that required surgery at the beginning of the season. Arteta says “he’s doing really well” and is “doing stuff” on the training pitch, but still “needs time” before he can play again.
“He was doing everything, he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him,” he said.
“He’s a player that personally I love so much for what he brings to the team but also his character, his personality. I see him suffer being out.
“I can’t wait to have him back around the team playing. I think it’s going to be a massive boost for the team.”
On Saliba and Trossard, Arteta added: “I am not going to be able to help you much today because have another training session later today. Until that happens we are not going to know. He had a little niggle but I think it’s going to be a matter of days so let’s see.”
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