Arsenal could be boosted by return of injured forward before end of season

David Ornstein has suggested that Kai Havertz could return from his hamstring injury before the end of the season.

Havertz's setback was believed to keep him out until the summer, given that surgery was required. However, there's potential for the German to be reintegrated before the season's end if Arsenal are still playing for something in the final weeks of the campaign.

The German international tore his hamstring in what was supposedly a bit of a freak incident during the club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai two months ago. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel, and Havertz are among those to suffer notable hamstring injuries this season, and the forward's setback arrived after the Gunners lost Gabriel Jesus to a long-term knee injury.

In Havertz's place, Mikel Merino has performed admirably as a makeshift centre-forward. His cultured finish on Tuesday night was his sixth goal in ten appearances as Arsenal's leading man.

Kai Havertz could return from injury before end of the season

Despite Merino's form, Havertz has undoubtedly been a big miss. His return, if possible, would be a major boost.

Hope as emerged from The Athletic's David Ornstein, who said this in response to a question regarding the possibility of Havertz returning in May: "It looks and sounds like his recovery is going well, Daniel, so perhaps they'll try to reintegrate him before the season finishes if it is safe to do so and there is something to play for. But let's see - a lot of 'ifs' in that!"

Ornstein has made no guarantee of a comeback, suggesting that reintegration is likely only if Arsenal are still playing for something when it's "safe" for him to return. While the Gunners are 11 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, they're currently regarded as Opta's favourites to win the Champions League after Tuesday night's 3-0 victory over Real Madrid.

If Arsenal hold onto their advantage in next week's second leg and bypass either PSG or Aston Villa, they'll be involved in the Champions League final for the first time since 2006. Two-and-a-half weeks separate the end of the semi-finals and the final, which is scheduled for 26 May in Munich, so there's scope for Havertz to potentially return in between.

But hey, I am getting way ahead of myself here. We all know what the Santiago Bernabeu can do to teams.

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