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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta calmed supporters' nerves regarding injuries picked up by Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze during Saturday's Premier League victory against Newcastle United.
Eze netted the crucial opener, set up by Havertz, which returned the Gunners to the summit of the title race—though they have played one game more than Manchester City. However, neither player was able to see out the full match. Havertz lasted just 36 minutes, while Eze was substituted eight minutes into the second half.
Speaking immediately after the final whistle, Arteta showed little worry about anything serious. At this stage, both players could still be in contention when Arsenal face the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Atlético Madrid in Spain.
"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," Arteta told reporters at the Emirates Stadium.
Eberechi Eze Breaks Silence on Injury Scare
While Havertz trudged straight down the tunnel after pulling up in the opening half, Eze took a seat on the bench following treatment from the medical staff on the pitch.
"I'm alright," the goalscorer told Sky Sports after the final whistle. "I'm all good, it was just a precaution. I didn't want to do anything [more severe], I'll be O.K."
While this appears to be a positive update on the surface, Eze's comments should be treated with some caution. Much like his understated manager, the creative midfielder has a track record of offering optimistic injury assessments. Only last month, Eze played down injury concerns before being ruled out for three matches, including the Carabao Cup final, with a calf issue.
Concern Over Arsenal Depth to Cover Injuries
Any spell on the sidelines for either Eze or Havertz could prove hugely damaging to Arsenal's ambitions of claiming a first Premier League title in 22 years and making an unprecedented run to Champions League glory.
Viktor Gyökeres's tendency to impress only against lower-ranked opposition saw the Swedish striker start on the bench behind Havertz for the second game running. Gyökeres, brought in so that Havertz could operate in his preferred deeper position, has yet to score a non-penalty goal against any side currently in the Premier League's top 10. Arteta opted for Havertz as his central striker against Manchester City the previous week and again for Newcastle's visit, with Gyökeres only entering the fray when the German was forced off.
The manager's trust at center forward clearly lies with Havertz, making his potential absence a significant concern.
Questions remain over Eze following last summer's $90 million (£67.5 million) move from Crystal Palace. The England international has scored five of his seven Premier League goals this season across just two fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur—with only two coming against any other opponent.
Yet he delivered a vital Champions League goal against Bayer Leverkusen in March. Scoring Saturday's winner to send Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League also demonstrated a growing capacity to deliver in high-stakes moments. Every fixture from here is now a must-win.
Eze was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli, who has contributed just four Premier League goals and assists combined throughout the season and has started only three of the club's last 11 league matches—underscoring how far the winger has slipped in Arteta's pecking order.