Kai Havertz is back with the Arsenal squad ahead of Sunday’s match against Chelsea, returning from injury in time to face his old club.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is set to return to Mikel Arteta’s squad on Sunday afternoon, after returning to training this week.
Arteta confirmed in his press conference on Friday that Havertz would be involved in training on Saturday, but wouldn’t confirm whether or not the German international would then be available to feature against Chelsea.
But football insider HandofArsenal reports that Havertz has made the squad and is ready to face his old club on Sunday. Though in less positive news, the same source adds that Ben White was not with the squad on Sunday morning.
Max Dowman also returned from injury this weekend, but he played for the Arsenal u21s as he looks to build his fitness, so he won’t be available for the first team on Sunday.
That leaves White and Mikel Merino as the only other senior absentees against Chelsea, with Merino not expected to return for at least a couple of months yet.
If Arsenal can avoid further injuries in the coming games and get Dowman and White back fit and firing, the Gunners would be in the enviable position of only missing one player.
Chelsea won’t be quite so lucky on Sunday, with Levi Colwill, Jamie Gittens, Estevao, Dario Essugo, and Marc Cucurella injured, Mykhailo Mudryk suspended due to an anti-doping charge, and Wesley Fofana also suspended due to a red card last week.
On the upside for Chelsea, Romeo Lavia recently returned to the squad after a long absence and backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen could be in line to return to the squad on Sunday.