Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided injury updates on Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino after both players sustained knocks to the head in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The defeat at the San Siro marks Arsenal’s second consecutive 1-0 loss after a similar result against Newcastle in the Premier League.
Despite dominating possession and generating 20 shots, the Gunners failed to put the ball in the back of the net and lost through a marginal penalty call.
Kai Havertz Injury Update
The closing stages of the match saw a particularly alarming incident involving German international Kai Havertz.
In an aerial duel with Inter’s German defender Yann Bisseck, Havertz suffered a severe head wound, leaving him visibly shaken and bleeding.
The 25-year-old was quickly taken off the field, with blood pouring from the cut, and fans feared he might face a spell on the sidelines. When questioned post-match about Havertz’s condition, Arteta remained cautiously optimistic.
“Kai Havertz had a big cut, and hopefully he will be OK for the weekend,” Arteta revealed, hinting that Havertz could still feature in Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Chelsea.
Mikel Merino Injury Update
Arsenal’s Spanish summer signing, Mikel Merino, was also hit with a thwart in a separate clash with Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer.
Arteta and many fans alike were frustrated that the incident didn’t lead to a penalty after it appeared Sommer virtually punched Merino in the head.
Arteta compared it to the handball incident that resulted in a penalty to Inter, saying, “If that’s a penalty, then the one on Mikel Merino where he [Sommer] punches him in the head, has to be 1000% a penalty.”
Merino’s challenge did not result in visible injury but seemed concerning enough for Arteta to make a substitution. However, the decision to replace Merino was taken as a precaution, with Arteta wanting to keep him fresh for the weekend.
“No, he was not concussed,” Arteta clarified, adding, “yesterday and today he was already not feeling great, and I decided to take him off as I needed him 100%.”
"The one on Mikel Merino, where he [Sommer] punches him in the head, has to be 1000% a penalty" 💥
Mikel Arteta says it's difficult to accept that Arsenal were not awarded a penalty against Inter Milan ❌ pic.twitter.com/KnsI2BIUDN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 7, 2024
