Arteta Updates on Havertz and Gyokeres in Press Conference
Mikel Arteta, the head coach of Arsenal, provided an injury update on key players Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz before their UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich.
Injury Updates on Key Players
Viktor Gyokeres has not played since Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Burnley. Kai Havertz has been sidelined with an injury since his substitution against Manchester United in August.
Positive News on Recoveries
Arteta reported encouraging progress in their rehabilitation. He mentioned, “Really good, both of them. In the next few days, they’re going to have a repeat scan to assess their readiness for the weekend.”
Other Squad Developments
Additionally, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke have returned to training and were included in the matchday squad for Arsenal’s recent 4-1 win over Tottenham. Madueke notably replaced Leandro Trossard during the match.
Martin Odegaard’s Status
Arteta expressed optimism regarding Martin Odegaard’s potential participation. He stated, “They [Martinelli and Madueke] are available. We’re going to have a meeting now to decide on Martin. He was very close for the previous game, so we are hopeful he can be in the squad as well.”
Reintegration Strategy
With several players returning to first-team training, Arteta discussed his approach to reintegrating players into the squad. He emphasized the need to evaluate each player’s readiness.
- Assess individual fitness levels.
- Determine how long each player can actively participate.
- Plan substations and tactical decisions carefully.
Arteta concluded, “We need to be very mindful of how many players we place on the pitch, as many may not be fit to play the full 90 minutes.”
This preparation is key as Arsenal gears up for the significant clash against the German champions at Emirates Stadium.
