Mikel Arteta offers update after Kai Havertz left pouring with blood from head injury
Arsenal slumped to their first Champions League defeat of the season against Inter Milan on Wednesday evening and things got even worse for Mikel Arteta late on after a painful looking injury to Kai Havertz
by Daniel Orme · The MirrorArsenal star Kai Havertz was left covered in blood after a painful collision against Inter Milan.
The German forward was named in the Gunners’ starting lineup for their trip to the San Siro. The North London side endured a difficult evening as they slipped to their first Champions League defeat of the season.
Mikel Merino was controversially penalised for a handball - Inter star Hakan Calhanoglu scoring the resultant spotkick. But it got even worse for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta late on as his stars was withdrawn with a painful-looking injury.
Havertz was involved in a heavy collision with Inter defender Yann Bisseck in stoppage time. The two clashed heads and had to receive treatment.
The Arsenal star came off the worse as blood started pouring from his head. Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer immediately called the Arsenal medical staff onto the pitch.
After a few minutes of treatment, Havertz walked off the pitch covered in blood. Arsenal physiotherapist Simon Murphy also had a large blood stain on his coat after treating the German.
Offering an update, Arteta said: "Kai Havertz had a big cut and hopefully he will be OK for the weekend." Havertz’s withdrawal will certainly worry the Arsenal boss The 25-year-old had enjoyed a positive start to the campaign, scoring seven goals in 15 appearances in all competitions.
He would certainly have been keen to add to that record this weekend as Arsenal come up against his former side Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. And while there was some concern over Havertz’s fitness, there was a slight boost for Arsenal against Inter Milan.
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Captain Martin Odegaard replaced the forward for the closing stages in Italy for his first appearance since August. The Norwegian had returned to training after his ankle injury and was named on the bench against Inter.
Speaking before the game, Arteta said: “The positive news is it’s great to have Martin back. He’s trained with us for the first time, a full session today. He felt good, it’s a bit earlier than we expected, but he wanted to be with the team, so we’ll decide tomorrow whether we use him, but at least it’s a big step that he’s travelled with us and is part of the team.”
Another player that could miss this weekend’s game is Declan Rice. The England star picked up an injury against Newcastle.
On Rice, Arteta added: “Declan unfortunately has picked up an injury against Newcastle. He was able to finish the game but he wasn’t feeling good in the last few days so we have to assess him on Thursday to understand whether he will be fit or not for the weekend.”
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