As a dejected Kai Havertz slowly ambled down the Emirates tunnel, a fragment of Arsenal’s title challenge flew into the abyss.
Off the ball, the German had sat on his haunches with a despondent look. It was the expression of a man sensing that his day on the pitch was up — and maybe his season, too.
Mikel Arteta afterwards said on Eberechi Eze, who hobbled off, and Havertz: ‘They are muscular niggles. We don’t think it’s too much. We have to wait and see if they’re going to be available for Wednesday (against Atletico Madrid).’
This needs to be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage, given Arteta is ever so guarded on injury updates.
If he is to be out for the coming weeks, what a sorry end to a campaign which has been such toil for Havertz, and just a week after a promising performance against Manchester City; today was just his sixth league start of the season.
As Daily Mail Sport reported in January, Arsenal had concerns over Havertz’s long-term fitness after his knee flared up on his return from an initial injury sustained on the opening day of the season against Manchester United in August.
Kai Havertz’s injury against Newcastle could play a major role for Arsenal in their title bid
The German suffered his latest setback as Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 to return to the top
That saw Arteta limit his minutes, as well as deploy him in a deeper role to manage his workload and give the striker the best chance of playing a key role later in the season.
Here, he started in promising fashion, buoyed by the impact he had against Pep Guardiola’s men. It was his hold-up play and the domineering way he led the frontline that day that did much to give Arsenal a fighting chance.
In the 35 minutes against Newcastle, he showed signs of his physicality in pinning back defenders — and, crucially, provided the assist for Eze’s goal.
He collected Noni Madueke’s short corner to set up Eze, who finished with aplomb.
The forward brings much to the table. Whether it be those incisive passes to his team-mates or stretching play, he is a more complete forward than Viktor Gyokeres.
A moment in injury time put this into perspective. The Swede marched down the field, breaking away with the visitors sprinting rapidly to try get back.
He had two players to his right. If he get could the ball to them, a goal was surely beckoning. Instead, the striker’s pass was snuffed out. Inexplicable, really, and the crowd let him know with their groans.
Gyokeres did put in a hell of a shift, fans applauding his winning of the ball in areas and relentless driving up the field.
Though his link-up play is markedly weaker than Havertz’s, and the lack of depth up top for these final four Arsenal matches is not ideal. Gyokeres as an option is a solid one. Throwing all the load on just him, however, is a different prospect.
Eberechi Eze (right) scored a superb winner for the Gunners from outside the area on Saturday
Mikel Arteta will be sweating over Havertz’s fitness given his importance to Arsenal’s attack
It’s not helped that Arteta seemingly doesn’t trust Gabriel Jesus, who has started just twice in the league this season and did not feature at all today.
Gabriel Martinelli could well be an option down the middle. As seen in the 2022-23 season with his 15 league goals and six assists, the Brazilian can be lethal in front of goal.
Arteta certainly needs to get creative for when Gyokeres is not effective for the team’s greater good.
What is clear is that Havertz will be sorely missed, if he is unable to return in these defining final weeks.
A WELCOME RETURN
Bukayo Saka had entered the pitch on 82 minutes to loud cheers amid the fraying nerves. Their Starboy was back, and how they’ve missed him.
Since his recent Achilles injury, Arsenal have only won just once in five games. Of course that run is not purely down to Saka’s absence, but it hasn’t helped.
It did not take him long to reflect why this club are so steadfast on having the winger available at any cost.
Just seconds after coming on, he cut inside from edge of box and shot, the ball deflecting just wide of the post. It was one of Arsenal’s better efforts of the afternoon, the winger’s intent to drive forward and attacking threat an asset which makes this team a different proposition.
Arteta interestingly admitted on Friday that Saka’s limited output in the weeks, before being sidelined, was influenced by him carrying this Achilles injury.
Whether Arsenal’s star man Bukayo Saka can get up to full speed in time remains to be seen
It’s a double-edged sword: Arsenal badly need him, even if not fully fit, but by overplaying him they are risking his body.
The latter should and must take precedent, for his long-term future. For now, the Gunners will be praying that Saka is back to 100 per cent.
