WHY DID MIKEL ARTETA SUB HIM? THE REAL REASON KAI HAVERTZ LEFT AT HALFTIME
Kai Havertz marks his first start in 357 days with a goal and assist as Arsenal beat Kairat 3-2 to secure a perfect UCL record.
Mikel Arteta believes Kai Havertz can push Arsenal to new heights after the German scored and set up two more in their 3-2 Champions League win over Kairat at the Emirates.
Havertz, starting for the first time in almost a year after dealing with hamstring and knee injuries, wasted no time. He set up Viktor Gyokeres for a goal in just the second minute.
Kairat hit back right away, with Jorginho converting a penalty to even things up. But Havertz wasn’t done. He scored his first goal in nearly a year to put Arsenal back in front.
Then, with about nine minutes left in the first half, Gabriel Martinelli finished off another Havertz cross to make it three. Kairat did pull one back in stoppage time—Ricardinho headed home for them—but Arsenal held on, wrapping up eight wins from eight in the group stage.
Arteta subbed Havertz off at the break, still taking it slow as he returns to full fitness. But he was thrilled with what he saw in that first half. “This is going to give him so much confidence, and it lifts the whole team, too,” Arteta said. “Everyone knows how important Kai is and how much better he makes us. To see him do all that after so long out—impressive, honestly. The quality, the way he linked up with the team, the goal, the assists—it was all really positive.”
He added, “Let’s get him properly involved and make sure we use him right, because he’s going to be huge for us in the second half of the season.”
When asked about taking Havertz off at half-time, Arteta explained, “He’s fine. That was always the plan—just the first 45 minutes. He definitely wanted to stay on.”
Arsenal’s win means they top the group. After falling short in the semi-finals last season, they’re back in the last 16 in March, with Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, or Borussia Dortmund waiting.
Arteta said, “I’m proud of the players and what we’ve done in this stage. Winning eight straight in the Champions League isn’t easy—just look at what’s happened to other teams. We need to recognise that, but now it’s time to pause, reflect, and get ready for the next opponent. One game at a time.”
Next up, Arsenal heads to Elland Road to face Leeds on Saturday. Even after losing to Manchester United on Sunday, they’re still four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
