Arsenal returns to the Premier League promotion in the collision on Saturday evening with Brentford in the Emirates, where the Gunners go on a high after the midweek -victory at Real Madrid
The Golden Week of Arsenal continued after it turned out that Kai Havertz could return a shock before the end of the season. Fresh from the beautiful Champions League quarterfinals first legs over Real Madrid, the potential comeback from Havertz is the latest boost for the men of Mikel Arteta.
The participation of the German attacker This period was expected to be over after he sustained a hamstring injury during the Dubai training camp mid-season. Havertz, who underwent an operation in February, has made good progress in his recovery and shared a video of his rehabilitation on social media earlier this week.
And asked if there was a chance that Havertz could play again, Arteta said: “Let's take a look. Hopefully we can have Kai Havertz back before the end of the season. As soon as you have the final phase of that rehabilitation, you better understand how close you are to take that next step.”
The potential return of Havertz offers another welcome tonic in the midst of the Feel-good factor at the Emirates. Arsenal has one foot in the Champions League the last four after cruising to a 3-0 win over Real – with their season that seems to be defined about how they perform in Europe.
On the back of their season-best show on Tuesday evening, Arsenal is facing Brentford and now knows the full focus, for the time being, back on the Premier League. With a shortage of 11-point to make up for running leaders Liverpool, the chances of domestic silverware seems to be a deserted task.
Arteta said: “It is not about bringing the players back, it is about maintaining that energy and momentum. That game is over and now the full focus on Brentford is because it is a game that requires the best of us.
“We play every three days. We play in different matches, the biggest stages, play in Europe and then return to the Premier League.
“And having a completely different game, different opposition and context around the game. What we have to do is win our football matches, be better in our (competition) position and then wait what happens.”
With one eye on Wednesday evening in the Bernabeu, the Gunners boss is expected to make changes to the hero Declan Rice with two goals among those who are reassured to help his recovery of a foot problem.
Rice had revealed that he ignored advice from Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover before firing the first of two spectacular free kicks against Real. And Arteta has encouraged his Arsenal players to continue to defy instructions if this means that more magical moments are created.
He added: “They have to make the decision, we are here to help them, to try to paint the image of what the options are. But I thought it was great. I think if we are talking about making the next step, it is a lot about it. It is about initiative happening on the field and believing that you can really win the game yourself.”
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