Mikel Arteta has delivered a significant injury update on Kai Havertz ahead of Arsenal's crucial Premier League showdown with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
Havertz Nears Return as Defensive Duo Miss Out
The Arsenal manager revealed that forward Kai Havertz is "very close" to making his long-awaited return after a knee injury suffered back in August. The 26-year-old German international, who has been sidelined for months, took part in training on Wednesday morning and is now in contention to feature against the reigning champions.
However, the news was not as positive for defenders Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori. Arteta confirmed that both players have been ruled out of the Liverpool fixture. "No. They're out again," the Spaniard stated. "They have to go through the last stage of the rehab, and if everything goes well, hopefully soon they will be available for selection."
Arteta's Cautious Approach with Havertz
While the potential availability of Havertz is a major boost, Arteta emphasised a careful approach to managing the player's workload. "We are monitoring his load," Arteta explained in his pre-match press conference. "He's been out for a long time for two different reasons. He trained this morning again. Hopefully we're going to have him available and the best version of himself."
Havertz was named on the bench for Arsenal's 4-1 win over Aston Villa last week but was left out of the squad entirely for the subsequent 3-2 victory at Bournemouth, indicating the club's cautious management of his recovery.
Gunners Seek Revenge Against Champions
Thursday's match carries extra weight for Arsenal, who currently sit top of the Premier League table. Liverpool are one of only two sides to have beaten the Gunners this season, alongside Aston Villa. Arteta admitted his team has a "point to prove" against the champions.
"Excited. It's a massive game against the champions of the last Premier League," Arteta said. "We have a point to prove. We're going to have our crowd creating an amazing atmosphere... We are top of the table, we play at home against a really good opponent. We want to maintain our position. To do that we're going to have to be excellent throughout the game."
The Arsenal boss also paid tribute to his opposite number, Arne Slot, despite Liverpool's stuttering title defence. "Liverpool have a great manager," Arteta added. "They have a sensational structural understanding of what they have to do... they can play in different ways."
With key personnel decisions to make and a statement victory in their sights, Arsenal's preparations for this top-of-the-table clash are now complete, setting the stage for a potentially season-defining encounter in North London.
