- Kai Havertz was sidelined since the hamstrings were torn in February
- German has returned to training this week and could appear against Newcastle
- Listen now: everything is launched! Was Cole Palmer right to leave Man City?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Kai Havertz for his physical transformation during his injury to the closing of the hamstrings.
The German underwent a tear of the hamstrings during the training camp in hot weather in the Gunners in February, which required surgery.
He had to miss the rest of the season, but returned to complete training earlier this week – and could appear against Newcastle on Sunday.
And Arteta was impressed by the way the former Chelsea striker added muscles during his spell on the sidelines.
“There was a transformation in his body,” said Spanish.
“The last three years of his career have been so condensed that he did not have time to do it and it was a window and he really wanted to use it.
Arsenal director Mikel Arteta praised Kai Havertz for his physical transformation
Havertz had to miss the rest of the season after suffering from a torn hamid
The German has returned to training this week and could appear against Newcastle on Sunday
“The staff explained the opportunity in their physique to go to a different level. He went on board with that.
“You can see his presence and I think he has destroyed all the measures we have had at the gymnasium in the past 10 years. All. Power, acceleration, muscle mass, how he has increased certain capacities in his body, his agility, it was incredible.
The other day, I spoke to medical staff and they talked about it. For someone who is not in the team to have this state of mind, the only thing he has done is to raise the standards in the building because the others wounded looked at him (saying): “I will seem bad if I do not do the same.”
Arsenal is without attacker recognized since the injury of Havertz, with Gabriel Jesus also sidelined due to a knee problem.
As a result, Mikel Arteta was forced to deploy Mikel Merino in a more advanced role.
A new n ° 9 is an absolute priority for the club this summer, with Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting and Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig among the targets – and Arteta hopes that the club’s financial situation will allow the necessary reinforcements.
“The budget is like when you plan your wedding with your wife, or) when you build a house … (the budget) is always more,” added Arteta.
“You are preparing for different scenarios. Sometimes we want a player and suddenly, we have an injury or that this player is injured. There are so many variables that can occur, but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what will be the priorities.
Arteta praised Havertz, who remains the top arsenal scorer in the Premier League with nine goals in 21 appearances, for his ability to cover several positions.
He said: “One of Kai’s greatest qualities is his versatility and his threat of objective each time he plays and he is so intelligent.
“He will play as No. 9, he will play as an offensive midfielder and he will be super important for us.”
