Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated that the injuries sustained by Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze during the narrow 1-0 victory over Newcastle may not be severe. Eze scored the decisive goal in a tense match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening, but concerns over the fitness of two key attackers dampened the celebrations.
Match Summary and Injury Concerns
The win propelled Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League table, yet the triumph came at a cost. Eze's stunning early strike proved enough to secure all three points, but Havertz, who provided the assist from a short corner in the ninth minute, was forced off shortly after the half-hour mark. Matters worsened when Eze also departed early in the second half, replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta's Post-Match Comments
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Arteta said: "Let's see. At the moment they have to be looked after but hopefully they're going to be OK." In a separate interview with Match of the Day, he added: "Both of them had to come off, I think it was small niggles. We don't know the extent of that. Probably tomorrow we will know more."
When questioned about selecting Martin Odegaard and Eze together for only the second time this season, Arteta explained: "Well, they haven't been available much in this season and that's been a big part. With Kai and Bukayo [Saka], they've never played together, which is incredible. We've had to manage a lot of situations this season. We have lost a few players tonight, but the good thing is that the team continues to compete."
Impact on Title Race
With the title race entering a critical phase, losing either Eze or Havertz for an extended period would be a significant setback for Arsenal, who began the afternoon second on goal difference. Havertz was once again preferred to summer signing Viktor Gyokeres as the central striker, while Eze impressed in an advanced midfield role alongside Odegaard.
Former player Jamie Redknapp commented on Sky Sports: "It makes it more difficult. Because at least when you've got an option to come off the bench and you need that striker, whether you start with Havertz - which does feel like the best option out of the two. Maybe you start with someone else up front, maybe you play Eze as a false nine up front. You'd like to have that other one as an option. It didn't look good to be honest. Eze, maybe less so, he might be OK. But I didn't feel like Havertz was going to be OK for a couple of weeks, but I'm not a doctor."
