Havertz injury blow for Arsenal but Eze, Calafiori ready

Arsenal dey hope say Kai Havertz go still play part for dia title run-in, even though di German forward suffer muscle injury against Newcastle. Di 26-year-old limped off for first half of di victory over Eddie Howe side on Saturday with upper leg problem.

Arsenal no dey give definite time for im recovery but dem expect Havertz to feature for some of dia remaining four Premier League games as dem chase first title since 2004. Mikel Arteta side also dey for Champions League semi-finals and dem go face Atletico Madrid for first leg on Wednesday.

Havertz don suffer injury-disrupted season, wey im miss six months because of knee issue. Since im return for January, im don score five goals for 19 appearances.

But for good news, Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori dey set to rejoin matchday squad for di clash against Atletico. Eze wey score di decisive goal against Newcastle and win Player of di Match, dem replace am after im take knock just 10 minutes into second half. But im tell Sky Sports afta match say: “Yeah, I’m alright. I’m all good. Just precaution, didn’t want to do anything. Yeah, I’ll be okay.” Arteta don confirm say im go dey available for di squad for Atletico game.

For Havertz, im bin suffer foul from Viktor Gyokeres just 35 minutes into di Newcastle match, and dem carry am go tunnel for assessment on im foot. Arteta talk afta match say: “Let’s see, at the moment they have to be looked after but hopefully they’re going to be okay.” But for pre-match press conference ahead of Atletico fixture, Arteta confirm say: “Kai is out.” Im potential return date na Saturday, May 2nd against Fulham for home.

Calafiori wey dem no include for squad against Newcastle, Arteta talk say di defender dey close to comeback. Im say: “He was very close. But we have certain players that are coming back from injuries and can play certain moments as well, and we need to be balanced in what we need to.” Arteta don disclose say Calafiori go fit to feature against Atletico Madrid.

For Jurrien Timber, Arteta confirm say im no go dey squad for Madrid. Im say: “Jurrien is not in the squad. We don’t know yet, he is doing some stuff on the pitch at the moment. He needs to do some more things before he can compete with us.” Im return date still unknown.

Mikel Merino still dey out, Arteta don keep mum about im return timeline. Im say: “It’s a bit premature to say that he will play again this season. He’s evolving really well he’s really pushing every boundary that he possibly can but it’s a bit early to answer that question.”