Arteta provides update on Arsenal duo ahead of Brighton clash

Mikel Arteta says Kai Havertz is set to make his first-team comeback shortly.

The forward has not played since August because of a knee injury but providing an update on the German’s recovery, the Gunners boss said: “Quite close.

“I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds to that.

“But he is, again, a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I am really happy to have him back soon.”

However, defender Gabriel is still yet to train ahead of the game against Brighton.

“We have to wait and see,” Arteta said. “He hasn’t trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”