Mikel Arteta reveals Kai Havertz injury latest in four-man Arsenal update | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has also delivered updates on defensive pair Gabriel and Ben White

There had been suggestions of a fresh setback for the Germany international after Arteta earmarked a return to action before the end of the year.

Speaking on Friday morning, the Gunners manager said: "Progressing really well and quite fast in the last few weeks.

“We're really positive that if everything continues like that, in the next training sessions he's going to be with us quite soon."

On whether he had a match he was targeting for Havertz’s return, Arteta added: “I do. I don’t want to say it because again I think in that last part of the rehab, especially after such a long time, we need to be cautious.

“We need to go really firm with every step we take along the way to make sure that when he’s back, he’s back and he’s back for the long term.”

Meanwhile, Zubimendi did not take part in a training session earlier in the week which sparked some concern among fans over his availability for Arsenal’s first-ever trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It was understood that Arsenal were just keen to manage the midfielder’s workload after a busy few months and Arteta has confirmed this is the case.

“That was load management for a few players that played a lot of minutes recently, that’s probably the reason why,” the Gunners boss revealed in the press conference.

Martin Zubimendi has been a key player for Arsenal this season

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arteta also confirmed that Ben White will miss the game on Merseyside after limping off in the first half of last weekend’s win over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking immediately after the Wolves game, Arteta said he feared the worst over White’s latest setback but is now optimistic the defender will not miss too much action.

Arteta said: "He's out. He's evolving well. It’s not major injury but it will keep him out for a few games.

“I don’t think it’s going to be [major]. Ben is a really fast healer as well so let's hope that we're going to have him in the next few games."

In more positive news, Arteta has revealed that Gabriel is not too far away from a return to action having been sidelined with an adductor injury he sustained while playing for Brazil during the November international break.

“He's pushing hard as he always does every time he's out,” Arteta added. “He’s evolving really well, he’s doing pitch sessions. He’s not too far.

“We have to see in the last stages of that rehab how he progresses but we’re quite positive about it.”