Arsenal could welcome back important duo for crucial Chelsea fixture

Arsenal's Ben White and Kai Havertz were training with the first team, and could be available for the game against Chelsea, reports Hand Of Arsenal.

Arteta has been without the duo for some time, as both White and Havertz have suffered many injury setbacks that have limited their involvement this season.

However, they are close to a return. In fact, Hand of Arsenal believes that Havertz will be included in the squad for the Chelsea game, while a decision on Ben White will be made tomorrow.

Arsenal could welcome back important duo for crucial Chelsea fixture

Mikel Arteta was also asked about the fitness of Havertz, White and Max Dowman in the press conference, and he did not give too much away.

He said: "We are hopeful. Max will play some minutes tonight with under-21s, Kai will train tomorrow and Ben, let's see."

People would not really be expecting these players to start. Havertz faced his latest setback earlier this month, and since then has been out with a muscular injury.

White, too, got injured in February, and it is still not confirmed whether the two of them will play any substantial minutes, if at all, against Chelsea.

It is clear that Arteta would likely not risk any of them. So, they will only play if they are truly fit and have trained enough times.

Since Jurrien Timber has been in such good form, Ben White, even if he does make the bench, will not play in this game to give him full time to recover. It is a big game, and Timber has obviously played more recently than the English full-back.

For Havertz, it is a similar case. Even though he would definitely help Arsenal, his return is probably not going to happen against Chelsea. Eze will probably start for Arsenal in that position, and Viktor Gyokeres would play up top, meaning Arsenal might just have him see the match out from the bench.

This is just the author's prediction, anyway. He might play, but the chances are very low, especially in a big game.

However, it is worth noting that Havertz absolutely loves playing against his former club. He has scored against them many times, so technically, it is a little bit annoying for Arsenal fans if he does not play.

However, as long as Arsenal end up winning the game at the Emirates Stadium, it is certain that Havertz will not mind.

It remains to be seen what happens with these two players, but it is objectively a good sign that they could make the squad, and that also means that a proper return to the pitch is very near.