Arsenal have been without Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz for large parts of the season so far, with both players suffering injuries in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Mikel Arteta is said to be in no rush to return Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz to first-team action as they continue to recover from injury. Injury specialist Ben Dinary has spoken about the Gunners’ two star players who have been sidelined and outlined how Arteta must manage to bring two key players back into the squad.
Havertz has not played for Arsenal since coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Manchester United in the opening game of the season. The Germany international underwent surgery to relieve discomfort in his knee, but has just returned from a lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury last season.
Odegaard has not been sidelined as long as his Arsenal colleagues, but he has now suffered a series of injuries, first to his shoulder and then to his knee.
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When asked about when either player would return to action, Dinary told football.london via Escapist Magazine: “I think you’re looking at both of them individually. Odegaard certainly hasn’t spent as much time on the sideline as Havertz collectively.”
“Havertz will be back, but to be honest 2025 has been a very confusing year since he went under the knife for hamstring surgery.He is back but has recently suffered from a knee problem.
“I think he’s a player who needs to be managed a little more carefully. Odegaard himself has had repeated or persistent shoulder injuries that have limited his game time in that competitive environment.”
“But given that this setback is probably going to last around six weeks, maybe up to eight weeks, he’s been able to do a little bit in terms of building his fitness.”
“He is a player that you can definitely expect to integrate a little faster than Havertz. But as always, you have to be careful with this. There can always be influencing factors (within and outside the team), injuries, suspensions, the team’s match schedule, etc.”
“Given Arsenal’s current situation and their options in the attacking third, especially Eze, Martinelli and Trossard, it would be ideal.
“There are a lot of options out there and as long as things are going well on the pitch, the pressure from Mikel Arteta and the question of when these players will come back will go away.
“That’s because he can afford to manage these players a little bit better and hopefully take a more stable and integrated approach to getting back into the first team.”
Both Havertz and Odegaard are expected to return to first-team duty after the November international break ahead of a series of crucial games that will define Arsenal’s season.
The Gunners are preparing for their first domestic game in a north London derby against fierce rivals Spurs, followed by a Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich before heading across the city to Stamford Bridge to face title favorites Chelsea.
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