‘He makes us much better’ – Arteta backs ‘really important’ Arsenal star

Mikel Arteta says he is hopeful that Kai Havertz will be regularly involved from here on out after making his return to action in the FA Cup win over Portsmouth.

Havertz had been out since August after suffering a serious knee injury.

The Germany forward was on the bench for the 4-1 win over Aston Villa last month, before being left out of the squad altogether for the victory over Bournemouth a few days later due to “load management”, as well as for the goalless draw against Liverpool.

But having returned against Portsmouth, Arteta is backing the 26-year-old to play an important role for the rest of the season.

“I hope that will mean that he’s fit and available,” Arteta said when asked if he expects Havertz to be regularly involved in the squad from now on.

“And if he’s fit and available for sure he’s going to be in the squad, and he’s going to be a really important player for us because he’s a player that makes us much better.”