Havertz Return Boosts Arsenal, Says Merino

• Mikel Merino said Arsenal are “buzzing” to have Kai Havertz back, calling him “one more asset, one more tool for the coach”.
• Havertz made his first appearance since a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the season, coming on in the 69th minute of the 4-1 FA Cup win at Portsmouth.
• Merino said Arsenal’s mentality does not change by competition and stressed the squad’s desire to end a six-year wait for silverware.

Kai Havertz’s return has given Arsenal a lift at a point in the season when squads start to feel the weight of four competitions, and every minor absence can turn into a problem.

Arsenal are top of the Premier League and chasing honours on multiple fronts, so the sight of Havertz stepping back onto the pitch mattered beyond the minutes he played. The Germany international came on as a 69th-minute substitute in Sunday’s 4-1 FA Cup third round win at Portsmouth, his first appearance since sustaining a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the season.

Merino, who has settled into Arsenal’s midfield group, described the value of having Havertz back in the day to day rhythm, not just the matchday options.

“To come back after a big, big injury, to have him around is so good for everyone, for the atmosphere in the training ground,” Merino said.

“The support he gives us in the training ground, having him around every training session, and now having him on the pitch is one more asset, one more tool for the coach.

“[It’s] amazing, we’re all buzzing for him.”

Havertz’s return also comes after a stop-start 2025. He was restricted to 12 competitive outings across the calendar year, having also missed three months of last season following hamstring surgery. Arsenal’s medical and conditioning work has been tested across the squad in recent seasons, and Merino’s comments reflected how much the group values a senior forward being present and available, even before form is discussed.

Arsenal’s win at Fratton Park had a familiar shape, a calm response after an early setback, then control once the game turned. Portsmouth captain Colby Bishop scored in the third minute before Andre Dozzell’s own goal levelled it. Gabriel Martinelli scored three times as Arsenal moved into the fourth round for the first time in three seasons.

Arsenal’s schedule does not ease. They travel to Chelsea on Wednesday for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with the squad managing league duties and European football at the same time. Merino said the team’s standards are meant to hold, regardless of the competition.

“Every game matters, for us it doesn’t matter if it’s FA Cup, Carabao Cup, friendly, it’s not only about the competition we’re playing for, we’re playing for the badge, we’re playing for our reputation,” he said.

“Every game that we wear this shirt we have to do our best and we have to win and we have to put on a good performance.

“The main thing is to show that we are Arsenal, that we are ready to compete every single time, and the rest will take care of itself.

“Winning every game is the end goal. The hunger is there and has been there for a long time. It will be there until the end of the season.”

Merino was part of a rotated side at Portsmouth, with Arteta making 10 changes. Arsenal have leaned on squad depth across the season, and Merino pointed to the mix of quality and attitude as the requirement, especially when partnerships change from one match to the next.

“You can see the depth in the squad,” he said.

“When you make so many changes, sometimes it can be tricky because you are not used to be playing with each other and those connections are very, very important.

“You saw a team full of quality, a team full of attitude and hard work, and that’s the good thing.

“Everyone is going to be important in the end of the season and we’ll have to be ready on our toes because games come thick and fast and you never know when it’s going to be your time.”

WRITTEN BY

Jarrod

Jarrod Partridge is the Founder of Futbol Chronicle and an accredited journalist with over 30 years of experience following international football. A member of the AIPS International Sports Press Association, Jarrod has covered matches at stadiums around the world, bringing first-hand insight to every match report, player profile, and tactical analysis he writes.

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