Arsenal are optimistic that Kai Havertz has avoided serious injury and will be able to play a role in the Premier League title run-in.
The Germany international was substituted during the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United, appearing to be suffering from a groin injury.
Early assessments however have been more positive than initial fears, and while he is expected to be ruled out this week, Arsenal are hopeful Havertz will return in time to make an impact in what remains of the season.
Eberechi Eze, who was also withdrawn against Newcastle, is undergoing assessments. The England international downplayed concerns after the game, telling reporters his substitution was “precautionary”.
Havertz walked off the pitch after 33 minutes during Saturday’s win at the Emirates Stadium.
But after the game Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta played down the severity of the issues suffered by Havertz and match-winner Eze, describing them as “muscular niggles”.
“We don’t think it’s too much,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference. “We have to wait and see if they’re going to be available for Wednesday.”
Arsenal face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday.
Arteta’s side, who returned to top spot in the Premier League with the win over Newcastle, host Fulham in the top flight on Saturday before the decider against and a visit to West Ham United on May 10. They finish the season with league games against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away and will hope to be competing in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain.
Havertz has had two significant spells out over the past two seasons with hamstring and knee injuries, returning to action around the turn of the year.
He has been capped 57 times at senior international level for Germany, scoring 21 goals, and is expected to be part of Julian Nagelsmann’s first-choice front three at this summer’s World Cup. Germany are already without fellow forward Serge Gnabry for the tournament, who has been ruled out due to an adductor tear in his right thigh.
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