Havertz Poised for Return as Arsenal Faces Defensive Challenges

Kai Havertz was initially expected to return to the squad at the start of December but encountered a minor setback during his rehabilitation. Fortunately for Arsenal, he was seen participating in full training this week, and manager Mikel Arteta indicated that the 26-year-old is “quite close” to being match-ready.

Arteta was optimistic when discussing Havertz’s recovery, suggesting that his return could be imminent. “I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks,” he stated. “Let’s see how he responds in the next step. He’s a player that we miss a lot, as he brings a different dimension to the team. I am really happy to have him back very soon.”

Havertz’s significance to the squad is underscored by his performance last season, during which he emerged as Arsenal’s leading Premier League scorer with nine goals, despite missing several months due to a hamstring injury.

However, Saturday’s match against Brighton may come too soon for Havertz, who will need to demonstrate his readiness before returning to competitive action. Once fully fit, he will vie for the central attacking role alongside £64 million signing Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus. Jesus, who recently made his first start in nearly a year against Crystal Palace, is being managed carefully following an extended absence. Arteta expressed satisfaction with Jesus’s condition, stating, “Yeah, he’s very fit. We’ve been gradually increasing his minutes, and everyone was happy to let him play as long as he was okay. We took him off before risking fatigue, but I am very happy with his progress.”

As Havertz nears his return, Arsenal’s defensive challenges continue to test Arteta’s resourcefulness. The manager disclosed that Piero Hincapie sustained an unspecified injury during last weekend’s victory over Everton, exacerbating existing defensive issues. With injuries accumulating, Riccardo Calafiori is anticipated to partner William Saliba in central defense once again, marking the eighth different center-back pairing for Arsenal this season—a statistic that underscores ongoing instability. However, there is optimism on the horizon as Gabriel Magalhaes could return early in the new year, although Arteta cautioned that patience is essential.

“We have to wait and see,” he remarked. “He hasn’t trained yet, so he’s still in rehab. But hopefully, he can return as quickly as possible, given the current situation in our backline.”

Arteta also praised Calafiori’s abilities, suggesting he can develop a successful partnership with Saliba. “He has played at center-back before, and we acquired him because we believe he can excel in both positions. Those statistics are critical, especially if players remain aggressive in winning the ball. I prefer players who are proactive rather than passive. Calafiori and Gabriel both possess that mindset.”

Arsenal will strive to maintain their lead at the top of the table when they host Brighton at the Emirates Stadium this weekend. With title rivals Manchester City facing Nottingham Forest earlier in the day, the Gunners recognize the importance of sustaining momentum. Arteta expressed his respect for Brighton and their new manager, Fabian Hurzeler, saying, “It is a club that I admire greatly. Their achievements over the last decade are remarkable. They have experienced various managerial changes, and now Fabian has introduced new ideas, fostering a committed and cohesive team with versatile players. It will be a challenging match.”

With Havertz nearing his return, Arsenal’s squad is gradually becoming healthier, although defensive concerns persist. The upcoming weeks are poised to be crucial in determining their title aspirations, especially as competition intensifies across multiple fronts.