Kai Havertz is on the bench for Arsenal against Newcastle this afternoon.
Havertz was initially predicted to miss the rest of the season with the hamstring injury he suffered in Dubai in February, but the German has recovered quicker than expected.
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Mikel Arteta said he would make a late call on the German’s fitness and he has opted to name him among the substitutes.
“He has done certain parts of the sessions in the past two days,” the Arsenal boss said of Havertz on Friday. “He looks in great shape, but I think it is more a shout of, first of all the medical staff, the doctors, especially, giving the clearances - and then how Kai actually feels to contribute if he is required.
“We know how important Kai is for us. And the fact that he looks in great shape, I think he has improved a lot of metrics that are very important for a striker to give himself the best chance and you see the transformation on him, which has been really impressive.”
Arsenal are without Mikel Merino as he is suspended following his red card against Liverpool last weekend.
Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) all miss out, too.
Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were doubts but all start, however Jurrien Timber is not fit to make the squad. Jorginho is on the bench.
Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table but just two points ahead of Newcastle.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Trossard
Subs: Neto, Calafiori, Tierney, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Sterling, Havertz
Time and date: 4:30pm BST on Sunday May 18, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee: Simon Hooper
How to watch: Sky Sports
