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Arsenal is set to face Bournemouth on May 3 in the Premier League after a dismal 1-0 defeat to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at the Emirates Stadium. Speaking to the press in the pre-match conference, Mikel Arteta issued some important updates about fitness of certain players including long-term absentee Kai Havertz. Havertz has been out of action since February 2025, having already missed 18 games. This coupled with injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka had left a gaping hole on Arsenal’s attacking department during the important closing stages of the season.
With Arsenal still alive in the Champions League semi-final and a few consolation games in the Premier League as well, fans have been anticipating the return of the 25-year-old German forward. Arteta has provided an update about the same in the recent press conference saying that Havertz is expected to return very soon and might be able to play a few games towards the end of the season. While he may not return as early as next week for the important PSG clash in the Champions League, he should make it in time for the final PL matches.
It's very painful: Arteta on missing out on the Premier League title
Although Arsenal is taking on Bournemouth tomorrow, the result of the match will have zero implications for Arsenal as Liverpool have already won this year’s Premier League title. This marks another year of Mikel Arteta missing out on the coveted league title. A few reporters asked Mikel Arteta about the same during the press conference to which Arteta replied by saying that it definitely hurts him.
He said, “I understand that it (Liverpool) is a team that has been more consistent and it had a lot of the ingredients that you need to win it but it’s very painful yeah.” Even after playing a good brand of football throughout the season, Arsenal have not laid their hands on a piece of silverware but now have a chance to change that with next week’s semi-final tie against PSG.
