Mikel Arteta provides mixed injury update on three Arsenal stars ahead of Bournemouth clash

Gidibam Web3 weeks ago

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Image credit: Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, but offered an encouraging update on Kai Havertz’s recovery.

Calafiori remains sidelined, having missed the last nine matches, while Jorginho has not featured since sustaining an injury during last month’s draw with Brentford. Havertz, meanwhile, has been out since February after suffering a hamstring injury during Arsenal’s training camp in Dubai.

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Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta said: “Calafiori is out, Jorginho is still out. Jorginho’s got a bit more complicated than expected. Thankfully, he’s fine, he’s feeling good, he’s recovering well, but it was a bit more than what we wanted.”

**Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho (Image credit: Getty Images)**

Despite their absence this weekend, Arteta is hopeful that both players could return before the end of the season. “Yes. Hopefully, if everything goes well in the next week or so, I think he [Jorginho] will gradually integrate in the team,” he added.

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The Arsenal boss also offered a similar prognosis for Havertz, who has missed 15 games following winter surgery. “I think if everything goes the way it’s going at the moment and the way it’s planned, I think he will have a chance to play a few games here in the season,” Arteta said.

Arsenal star Kai Havertz — **Kai Havertz (Image credit: Getty Images)**

Looking ahead to the decisive UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Arteta hinted that one or more of the trio could still be in contention. “I wouldn’t rule all of them out, let’s see in the next few days how a few of them react.”

Arsenal will aim to secure a morale-boosting result against Bournemouth at the Emirates as they prepare for the high-stakes European showdown in France.