Mikel Arteta hopeful over new Arsenal injury boost as FA Cup chance awaits | OneFootball

Gunners’ squad expected to be further bolstered for third-round visit to Portsmouth

Havertz has not played for Arsenal since the opening weekend of the season, undergoing knee surgery at the end of August.

The German was on the bench at the end of last month against Aston Villa but has not made the matchday squad in the two games since then, against Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Those decisions have been load management related and Mikel Arteta has suggested that Havertz could make his return against Portsmouth.

"If everything goes well, I think so," the Arsenal boss said. "I think he’s going to be in the squad again in the next few days.

“He trains well, he’s increased his load, he’s coping with that really well. And it will be great if we can have him."

With Viktor Gyokeres struggling for form, having not scored from open play since the start of November, Havertz could soon get his chance to lead the line in the Premier League.

Although Havertz has been out for almost five months, Arteta made it clear that he expects him to hit the ground running when it was suggested the forward might need time to get up to full speed and have a significant impact.

"Yes, but I understand this is the level as well," Arteta said.

"And when a player has the chance to put our shirt on and compete for us, you know that the demands are excellence - and that’s it. Kai is aware of that."

Arteta won the FA Cup with Arsenal six months into his tenure but there has been no major silverware since then.

With Arsenal leading the way in both the Premier League and Champions League, Arteta insisted the club are eyeing more than just another FA Cup trophy.

"The big ones as well," Arteta said. "We want that one for sure - and the big ones. And that's what we are chasing, that’s the purpose of this team."