London Colney training grounds witnessed a significant development this week as Kai Havertz, sidelined for nearly the entire season, rejoined first-team training with Arsenal, handing manager Mikel Arteta a timely and substantial boost ahead of the Premier League’s demanding festive schedule.
The German forward’s return to the grass marks the culmination of a meticulous four-month rehabilitation from a knee injury that required minor surgery, an absence that has been keenly felt within the squad. His comeback, greeted with visible enthusiasm by teammates who formed a welcoming tunnel for him, signals a critical shift in Arsenal’s attacking options as the club enters a pivotal period in the campaign.
Havertz’s journey back to fitness has been fraught with frustrating interruptions since he suffered the initial injury during a brief substitute appearance against Manchester United on the season’s opening day. After the anticipated late-November return failed to materialize, Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann revealed the player had experienced a “minor relapse,” extending his time away from the pitch.
However, in recent weeks, his progression accelerated dramatically, culminating in Monday’s session where he was pictured alongside captain Martin Ødegaard and striker Viktor Gyökeres, completing finishing drills with the main group. The club itself captured the milestone moment, sharing images of his gym work with the simple but telling caption: “Step by step”.
Manager Mikel Arteta’s recent comments, now proven prophetic, underscored a blend of caution and palpable excitement about reintegrating a key player. “He’s progressing really well and quite fast in the last few weeks,” Arteta stated before the sighting at training. “We are really positive that if everything continues like that in the next training sessions, he’s going to be with us”.
The Spanish coach, however, was deliberate in tempering immediate expectations, emphasizing a long-term view for Havertz’s welfare. “I don’t want to say what game he will return for because in that last part of rehab, I think we need to be cautious,” Arteta elaborated. “We need to be firm that when he’s back, he’s back for the long-term”.
This measured approach reflects lessons learned from past campaigns and acknowledges that while Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace arrives too soon, his presence in full training is a decisive step.
The emotional significance of Havertz’s return extends beyond the tactical sheet, resonating deeply within the club’s culture. Arteta’s personal affection for the player is no secret; he recently declared, “We are all desperate to have Kai. I mean, it is a player that, personally… I love so much for what he brings to the team – his character, his personality… I love Kai!”.
Nevertheless, his comeback introduces a fascinating new dynamic and a welcome selection dilemma for Arteta in the forward line. When Havertz was injured, he was the established first-choice striker, coming off a season where he scored 15 goals despite another significant injury layoff.
During his absence, the workload has fallen to summer signing Viktor Gyökeres, while Gabriel Jesus has also recently returned to full fitness following his own long-term knee issue. This suddenly provides Arsenal with three high-quality options at center-forward, a stark contrast to the scarcity that forced Arteta to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker just last month.
Havertz’s reintegration arrives at a moment of both opportunity and strain for Arsenal. The team currently sits at the Premier League summit, two points clear, but faces the relentless grind of the festive fixture list.
Furthermore, the injury list, while improving, remains a concern. Key defender Gabriel Magalhães is still working his way back from an adductor injury, though Arteta has indicated he is “not too far” from a return. Right-back Ben White is nursing a hamstring issue, and young talents like Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman face extended spells on the sidelines.
In this context, adding a player of Havertz’s caliber and big-game experience is not merely an addition but a potential catalyst.
The broader narrative surrounding Havertz’s Arsenal career has been one of gradual but emphatic redemption. After a challenging initial adaptation period following his transfer, he won over a skeptical fanbase with crucial goals and a relentless work ethic, particularly during the intense title run-in of the 2023/24 season.