Havertz & Merino injury updates for Chelsea-Arsenal clash | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has suggested both Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz should be okay to face Chelsea on Sunday, despite coming off early against Inter Milan.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Merino of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain on October 01, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz both started for Arsenal away to Inter Milan on Wednesday night, but neither made it through the full 90 minutes.

Merino came off at half-time for Gabriel Jesus, and it was initially unclear whether or not the decision related to an injury. The midfielder had been punched in the head in the first half, so there was some suspicion of a concussion, but Mikel Arteta cleared those fears up.

“He was not concussed,” Arteta said. “But yesterday and today he was already not feeling great. After, when I looked at him, I decided to take him off because I need him 100%.”

MILAN, ITALY: Kai Havertz of Arsenal reacts after suffering a head injury and subsequently being substituted off during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on November 06, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As for Havertz, the player clearly was withdrawn due to injury, after a clash of heads left him bleeding quite badly. Again, the question is whether the player suffered a concussion, which would keep him out for a couple of weeks.

Arteta suggested that isn’t the case, with Havertz simply needing treatment for the wound.

“Regarding Kai, yeah, he’s got a big cut,” Arteta confirmed. “He needed to come off because he needed some stitches, but hopefully he’s going to be okay for the weekend.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Merino of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain on October 01, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

With any luck, both players will recover in time for Sunday’s trip to Stamford Bridge. The bright side of their early substitutions is that they should at least be alright on the fitness front.