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Mikel Arteta is hopeful that he'll have Kai Havertz available for the final few games of Arsenal's season, with the German stepping up his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Havertz's season was expected to be over when he suffered a hamstring tear during the club's warm-weather training camp in the wake of their Carabao Cup semi-final exit. Arsenal have been hit hard by hamstring issues this term, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel both requiring surgery for similar issues.
The German has been an integral part of Arteta's side since his move to a centre-forward position. After finishing last season in excellent form, Havertz scored nine times in the Premier League before his setback, although he performs more of a facilitator role up top for the Gunners.
In his absence, Arteta has effectively deployed converted midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker, as well as Leandro Trossard in a fluid false nine function.
Mikel Arteta confirms likely Kai Havertz return before season's end
Arsenal have navigated through the Champions League knockout stages without Havertz, but a poor run in the Premier League allowed Liverpool to canter to the Premier League title.
Merino has admirably filled in, but there have been occasions when Havertz's disruptive presence has been sorely missed. Arsenal certainly could've done with the German international on Tuesday night in their 1-0 defeat to PSG.
While it was initially believed that Havertz's season was over back in February, reports about a potential comeback before the summer started to emerge in recent weeks. Ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth, Arteta was asked whether we'd see Havertz again before the 2024/25 campaign draws to a close (via Connor Humm): “I think so, if everything goes the way it's going at the moment, he will have a chance to play a few games before the end of the season.”
Havertz has been working on an individual training programme at Arsenal's training ground, and Arteta would ideally be able to welcome him back to the fold for the return leg of the Gunners' semi-final against PSG on Wednesday night. However, there's no talk of the German travelling with the squad to the French capital just yet.
If Arsenal do find a way to progress against the French champions despite their current deficit, Havertz will certainly be available for the final played in his homeland on 31 May.