Arsenal receives a surprise Kai Havertz update ahead of the end of the season

Arsenal fans are on cloud nine after a dominant 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals at the Santiago Bernabeu. Declan Rice’s two free kicks and Merino’s composed finish have put Arsenal one step closer to the semifinals of the tournament. Amidst the celebrations, the club has also received an injury boost, as forward Kai Havertz may return ahead of schedule, according to Mikel Arteta’s recent comments.

Speaking to the media, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided an update on the German forward. He mentioned that Kai Havertz might return before the end of the season and could feature in a few games. Arteta also praised the player's work rate and passion to return to the pitch. The Spaniard extended his thanks to the medical team for bringing the player back ahead of schedule. He said:

Hopefully, we can have him back before the end of the season. Let’s see. Every injury isn’t the same. He has a great work ethic and is desperate to get back playing as quickly as possible. We also have a fantastic medical staff supporting him. Once you get to the last stage of that rehab, you can understand better how close or far you are to making that next step

In the ongoing campaign, Kai Havertz has featured in 21 Premier League fixtures, recording nine goals and three assists. He is on the verge of securing his second season in the English top flight with a double-digit goal tally, after struggling to reach similar heights during his time at Stamford Bridge. In the Champions League, he has contributed five goal involvements in eight appearances.

What next for Arsenal Football Club? 

Arsenal Football Club will now turn their focus to the Premier League after failing to secure a win against Everton last weekend. Had they won that match, they would have reduced the gap to nine points with seven games remaining in the campaign. Now, they aim to finish strong and capitalize on any slip-ups from Liverpool, while also rotating the squad to stay injury-free ahead of the crucial second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals at the Santiago Bernabeu.