Kai Havertz is close to returning to action for Arsenal, although based on Mikel Arteta’s latest comments, he might not come straight back into the team.
The German sustained a brutal knee injury in August, which has seen him miss every single game of the season, barring the opening match against Manchester United.
However, reports emerged this week indicating that Havertz has impressed people at Arsenal with his work during the rehabilitation process, and he could now return sooner than anticipated.
That said, there’s a brand new striker in the Gunners’ ranks that he’s never had to compete with for minutes before.
Mikel Arteta praises Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres for £63 million in the summer to provide Havertz with cover and competition.
The Swede hasn’t quite hit the ground running, scoring just three goals in his first ten games across all competitions for the North Londoners.
However, internally, Arsenal are happy with Gyokeres, and this was certainly apparent based on what Arteta said about him in his press conference on Friday morning.
“He brings so much, and watching the games back, I’m very pleased with what he’s given to the team,” the manager said.
“I told him before the first meeting, the nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn’t score for six or eight games, he can handle that.
“If not, you have to go somewhere else because the pressure is gone, the expectation is going to be there. So if you put a number nine shirt for Arsenal, you have to be able to say, OK, six games, don’t score.
“I’m a different player, I start to act in a different way. I want much more of the same of what he’s doing. Once we have those opportunities, put them in. I’m sure it’s going to happen.”
Gyokeres produced an exceptional display away at Newcastle at St. James’ Park, but looked fatigued at home to West Ham in the last fixture before the international break.
Having played three sets of 90 minutes in a week, it’s no surprise that he looked burnt out against the Hammers. Havertz’s return should help to get more out of Gyokeres, as the former Coventry man should be better rested.
Kai Havertz won’t be happy with Mikel Arteta’s comments about Viktor Gyokeres
For the majority of last season, Havertz was lamented for not being a prolific goalscorer.
Despite ending the campaign with 15 goals in all competitions and missing the final three months of the season through injury, there was a perception that the former Chelsea man was inept in front of goal.
As well as contributing to goals at a very respectable rate, Havertz provided a lot of value in other areas, in and out of possession.
Now, Gyokeres, who was bought specifically to find the back of the net, is being lauded for doing other things. Arteta’s latest comments on the Sweden international are essentially the coach waving away the striker’s lack of output, saying he’s not bothered or concerned by it.
While Arteta was never really critical of Havertz, this general narrative will surely frustrate the 26-year-old, who may feel there are some double standards with the way he and Gyokeres are being perceived.
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