Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta demands everything from his players in training.
The Spaniard raised the standards to a different level after taking charge of the club, and that has helped transform the Gunners over the last five years.
Arteta’s demands at the Sobha Realty Training Centre are so high that even the injured players use the time they’re out to get better physically – that has been evident for a few seasons now.
Kai Havertz is the latest to do that, and the German has set a new benchmark in the gym.
Mikel Arteta says Kai Havertz has smashed every gym metric at Arsenal
Havertz is one of Arsenal’s best players.
The Germany international came under a lot of criticism early in his Gunners career, with many even questioning why he was even signed.
However, Havertz won over Arsenal fans, and he has been incredible for the North Londoners since the turn of 2024.
Sadly, the former Chelsea man suffered a serious hamstring injury in February, and the initial diagnosis was that Havertz would be out for the season.
However, in what is a big boost, Havertz is back in training and could feature against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Asked about Havertz’s recovery, Arteta claimed that the attacker has truly transformed his body and has smashed every record that existed in the gym over the last 10 years.
He said, as per ESPN: “There’s been a transformation in his body. The last three years in his career have been so condensed that he hasn’t had time to do that. This has been a window, and he really wanted to use it.
“To be fair, the staff and how they have explained the opportunity for his physique to go to a different level and the things that he can improve and it can even help him mentally as well as being more effective as a player.
“He got on board with that, he worked hard, and you can see his presence. I think he destroyed all the metrics that we had in the gym for the last 10 years.
“Power, acceleration, muscle mass, the way that he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, he’s been incredible. I was talking to the medical staff the other day, and they were talking about that.”
READ MORE: Arsenal ace Kai Havertz’s life outside of football from his girlfriend to his height
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka’s injuries have taught Arsenal a major lesson
Arsenal have had so many injuries this season.
That is the biggest reason why they failed to get over the line in the Premier League – the title race ended long before it should have.
Bukayo Saka and Havertz both missing over three months of football due to injuries really hurt Arsenal in attack, but the club, Arteta and his coaching staff must have learnt a lesson now.
The two players played almost every game over the years and barely ever got a rest. They are both regulars for their countries too, and that took its toll.
This must have taught the decision-makers at the club to bring in better backup options this summer. That will allow Arteta to rest the likes of Havertz and Saka more next season.
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