Arsenal is on the verge of receiving a significant boost to their squad as £65 million star Kai Havertz is nearing his return to action in the coming days. The German forward has been sidelined since August after undergoing knee surgery, but he is now close to rejoining the team.

Manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his optimism about Havertz's return, stating that it will be a "matter of days, if not weeks". He also added, "He's a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I'm really happy to have him back very soon". Havertz's return will provide Arsenal with renewed depth and flexibility as they navigate a demanding schedule.

Havertz's comeback was initially anticipated for early December, but a minor setback during his rehabilitation delayed his return. However, he has since returned to full training, and Arteta has confirmed that the 26-year-old is "quite close" to being available. Although the match against Brighton on Saturday might be too soon for him, Havertz is aiming to return before the end of December.

Arsenal has been dealing with a number of injuries in recent weeks. Gabriel Magalhães has missed nine games since suffering an adductor injury while playing for Brazil in November, and his return date is uncertain. Ben White is also sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained against Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 13, with a possible return date around mid-January. Additionally, Cristhian Mosquera is expected to be out until mid-January due to a "complicated" ankle injury, and Max Dowman will be sidelined for several weeks with an ankle ligament injury.

Despite these injuries, the return of Havertz will provide a timely boost for Arsenal. The German international had a strong 2024/25 season, scoring 15 goals before a hamstring injury in February sidelined him until May. His versatility and ability to contribute goals will be a valuable asset for the Gunners as they aim to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League.

Arteta has acknowledged the defensive challenges the team is facing, especially with the injury to Piero Hincapie in the win against Everton. With several center-backs unavailable, Riccardo Calafiori is expected to partner with William Saliba in central defense. The manager is hopeful that Gabriel Magalhães will return early in the new year to reinforce the backline.

Arsenal's injury situation has been a concern for Arteta, who described it as a "really dangerous circle". However, the imminent return of Kai Havertz, along with the potential return of Gabriel Magalhães in the near future, will provide the squad with much-needed reinforcements as they compete in the Premier League and other competitions.