Mikel Arteta hints at triple Arsenal injury boost ahead of Chelsea showdown

Premier League leaders could have almost a fully-fit squad for latest London derby contest

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Kai Havertz will return to training ahead of Arsenal’s meeting with Chelsea on Sunday.

The German has been out for three weeks with a hamstring issue, adding to what has been an injury-hit season so far.

Havertz missed the first half of the campaign with a serious knee injury but looked sharp on his return to action last month.

He scored against Kairat in the Champions League and then came off the bench to net against former club Chelsea and seal the Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

Arteta has been without Havertz for the last four matches across all competitions, but the 26-year-old is pushing to return on Sunday to face the Blues once more.

The Arsenal boss also provided an update on Ben White, who was left out of the squad against Tottenham due to a “niggle”, while Max Dowman is in line to play for the Under-21s against Ipswich in the Premier League 2 on Friday night as he steps up his return from an ankle ligament injury.