StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

MIKEL ARTETA EXPLAINS HAVERTZ’S "RECORD-BREAKING" BODY TRANSFORMATION AMID 2025 INJURY WOES

Kai Havertz is back! Fans speculate on his "slimmer" physique after Mikel Arteta claimed he broke every gym record.

Mikel Arteta Explains Havertz’s "Record-Breaking" Body Transformation Amid 2025 Injury Woes
Kai Havertz Spotted at London Colney

Kai Havertz, who's barely played this season with just one appearance, is back training with the Gunners. He’s been out since August with a knee problem and missed the latter half of 2024/25 because of a hamstring injury. It’s been a while since he started a league game for Mikel Arteta—almost a year, since that 5-1 win against Manchester City on February 2, 2025.

Fans online were happy to see Havertz in recent training photos the club shared, since he's been out of sight for so long this past year. Plus, they've noticed he looks different.

Fans Think Havertz Might Have Missed Gym Sessions

When Havertz came back from his hamstring injury in the summer pre-season, lots of fans were surprised by his body change; he'd clearly put on muscle while he was recovering.

Some fans commented, "He looks like the old Havertz again." Others said, "I thought I was the only one who noticed!" Someone else wrote, "It's alright, tbh." He’s probably still a bit bigger than in 23/24.

One idea about why he looks different was that he probably realised his body and knees don’t do well with that much muscle, which led to injuries.

Some people weren't so sure about the change. One fan said, "He seems to have lost all that muscle he gained." He looks like he did when he first joined, which isn't great.

Arteta Said Why Havertz Got Bigger This Summer

His body has changed. The last few years have been so packed that he didn't have time to work on it, so this was a chance he wanted to take.

The staff told him he could really improve his physique, and he was up for it. You can see his presence, and he beat all our gym records from the past decade. Everything: power, speed, muscle, you name it. He's improved his body and his agility; it's been amazing.

Here’s what he looked like this summer before his injury:

So, it'll be interesting to see if he gets back in that kind of shape as he gets back to full fitness over the next few months.

THE HIDDEN TACTICAL REASON GABRIEL MARTINELLI WAS REPLACED BY LEANDRO TROSSARD

Mikel Arteta confirms Gabriel Martinelli "could not carry on" as Arsenal reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals

top-news
Martinelli could not carry on after a knee injury

Mikel Arteta said Gabriel Martinelli couldn't keep playing during their Carabao Cup game, which is a worry for Arsenal.

Martinelli got taken out, and Leandro Trossard came in around the 60-minute mark on Tuesday. Arsenal won thanks to a penalty shoot-out. Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Maxence Lacroix's penalty, which means Arsenal is going to play Chelsea in the semi-finals.

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi scored late, so the game went to penalties. Before that, it looked like Lacroix's own goal would win it for Arsenal. Arteta said he had to sub Martinelli off because he couldn't carry on.

Even with the injury concern, the Spanish coach was happy his team was getting closer to Wembley.

"Really happy to be in the semi-final," he said. We played a team that doesn't give you many chances. We made a bunch and should've scored more.

He added, "When you don't finish the game, a late goal can happen." The guys were really calm during penalties. They got more aggressive in the second half, but overall, it's another win, and I'm happy.

Kepa, who's been David Raya's backup this season, enjoyed having a chance to shine. The Spanish player wants to finally win the title, since he's been a runner-up twice with Chelsea.

I think we played great, but then things changed, he told Sky Sports after the game. We need to get better at not giving up goals at the last minute.

Before his save from Lacroix, both teams made all seven of their penalties. You have to stay calm and focused and not lose it.

William Saliba scored the winning penalty. He's 24 and was only playing his third game since coming back from an injury. He was relieved they made it through the tough match.

It was a hard game against a great team. "We played well, other than my mistake," the French player said.

We're really happy to be in the semi-final. We need to remember last season (when Arsenal lost to Newcastle in the semi). Kepa saved us in the end. We want to win both games and get to the final.

THE SECRET BEHIND KEPA ARRIZABALAGA'S PENALTY HEROICS DURING ARSENALS INTENSE SHOOTOUT AT EMIRATES

Kepa Arrizabalaga becomes the hero as Arsenal overcome a Lacroix own goal to win an epic shootout.

top-news
Kepa dived right to save Lacroix's penalty

Arsenal dominated the first half, but Crystal Palace's backup goalie, Walter Benítez, was on fire, making some great saves to keep his team in it.

After Chris Richards left with a bad ankle gash, Maxence Lacroix's own goal seemed to set up a semi-final against Chelsea. But Marc Guéhi had other plans, scoring in the last few minutes of stoppage time to force a penalty shootout—a repeat of last year’s quarter-final. The first 15 penalties all went in, then Lacroix missed his, and Kepa Arrizabalaga saved it, sending Arsenal through in a dramatic finish.

Of the two teams, Arsenal benefited more from Palace's request to move the game because of their European matches. Mikel Arteta made eight changes from the team that won at Everton on Saturday. Only three players stayed in the lineup, all in defence, where Riccardo Calafiori had to play centre-back because Pierro Hincapié got hurt.

Glasner said before the game that he had to pick pretty much the same team that got beaten badly by Leeds. Goalie Dean Henderson didn't play. Benítez played great during Arsenal's first-half attack, but teenager Jaydee Canvot, playing out of position at right wingback, had a tough time against Gabriel Martinelli

To show how packed Palace's schedule is, this was captain Guéhi’s 31st start of the season for club and country. On the other hand, Jesus waited almost a year for his first start after hurting his ACL against Manchester United back in January.

The injury was especially bad timing since the Brazil striker was playing really well, starting with his hat trick against Palace in this competition. So it felt right that he'd make his 100th appearance for Arsenal against the same team.

People aren't totally sold on Arsenal’s £64m signing, Viktor Gyökeres, yet, so Jesus probably saw this as a chance to impress. He showed his skill early on, teaming up with Martinelli to set up Noni Madueke, but Madueke's shot was weak and went straight at Benítez. Tyrick Mitchell shot over the bar after a great pass from Jean-Philippe Mateta, but that was as close as Palace got in the first half as Arsenal turned up the heat.

Martinelli missed the target after a corner wasn't cleared, and then Madueke forced Benítez to make another save. Martinelli got past Canvot again and crossed the ball to Jesus, but the Palace keeper saved it. Richards made a last-ditch clearance to stop another chance as Arsenal kept attacking with long throws and set pieces.

Palace let in four goals against Leeds but somehow held on until halftime, thanks to some good defending and Arsenal's missed chances. Benítez pushed away Madueke’s close-range shot, and then Jurriën Timber headed another Martinelli cross over the bar right before the break.

It wasn't a shock when Canvot was taken off for the much more experienced Nathaniel Clyne. Plus, Eddie Nketiah came off too against his old club. Palace looked better right away and started the second half with more confidence. Adam Wharton almost scored his first goal for the club with a shot from outside the box.

Arsenal, who took 13 shots in the first half, got frustrated as they couldn't create chances anymore. Like last year, Arteta brought on Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, but Jesus headed Ødegaard's cross just wide two minutes after he came on.

There was a long break when Richards was carried off with a bad cut to his ankle after challenging Jesus. This is a concern for Palace because their schedule is very busy.

Arsenal needed Saliba to slide in and take the ball away from Mateta. The following corner was blocked on the line, and it seemed like a turning point when Benítez saved another shot from Jesus. But then the ball deflected off Lacroix's foot and into the goal.

Palace looked down, but they fought back when Guéhi scored after Jefferson Lerma headed on Wharton’s free kick. Rice could have won it later, but Benítez denied him. The penalty shootout was full of more drama, but the Argentina keeper couldn't do it again.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News