Arsenal injury news: Arteta gives Bukayo Saka update after unexpected Kai Havertz blow as Ben White available
Latest Arsenal injury news and updates ahead of crunch Premier League game with Leicester City
Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon aiming to chase down Liverpool at the top of the table.
Arne Slot’s side drew 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening to go seven points clear of the Gunners. The Reds were on course for all three points before James Tarkowski thundered in a volley in the 98th minute to give Arsenal a slight boost in their hopes of winning the title.
Ahead of Saturday’s game with Leicester, Arsenal confirmed forward Kai Havertz is set to undergo surgery after picking up an injury during a training camp in Dubai. A club statement read: “We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week.
“Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days. Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season. Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Arteta on Saka, Havertz and White
Asked about the injury to Havertz, Arteta said on Friday: "We were having a great camp in Dubai, recharging , training, connecting with nature and different environment. Then the injury happened in unexpected way, it's a big blow because of injuries we have.
"Fortunately we have been through a lot this season, it's the challenge I have. We love it. Let's see what the team is made of. Any team in this league losses four players in frontline like that and I know what the answer will be."
Adding how the injury happened, Arteta said: "He was going to stop a shot [after I ended a drill], he stretched his leg and then felt his hamstring."
The Arsenal boss also delivered the latest updates on Bukayo Saka and Ben White. Saka is still a few weeks from returning while White is available again but Arteta is keen to manage his minutes. He added: "It's too early [for Saka], he's in early stage of rehab. When he's closer, doing more workload, we will see how he is. Ben White is in training more regularly now. We have to manage his load, but he is available."
Arteta looks to Leicester
Arteta is expecting a tough afternoon against Leicester, who are fighting against relegation from the Premier League. He said: "Hopefully we will be better and better in coming weeks, but always we will adapt to the qualities of players we have available. They [Leicester] make life very difficult, I know Ruud well and the way he sets up his teams.”
He continued: "We have to [change playing approach because of injuries] it brings other opportunities, in the frontline we will have players who are unpredictable good in one-v-ones, creative and sharp, they'll give headaches to opposition.
"The intensity obviously has gone to a different level, the demands we put on players is higher and higher, it's consequence of that. Long-term injuries, especially muscle and tendon-related ones, are increasing.”