Havertz returns to Arsenal training after 'muscle strain' scare

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Kai Havertz was back at the Sobha Realty Training Centre this week, offering Mikel Arteta a timely boost ahead of Arsenal's Premier League return against Leeds United on Saturday, even though he did not take part in the grass session that saw several teammates put through their paces.

The forward was forced off during Germany's Nations League clash with the Netherlands last week following a high challenge from Quinten Timber. The German Football Association later confirmed he had suffered a 'muscle strain' and sent him home for further tests, as reported by football.london. Despite that setback, Havertz was present in the building and was seen greeting Ben White warmly upon his arrival back at the training ground.

Who else was spotted, and who wasn't

Three senior players featured in the on-grass session: Cristhian Mosquera, White, and academy forward Max Dowman. Mosquera has not played since coming off with what was initially described as a 'muscular issue' against Aston Villa in late August, later confirmed as a hamstring injury, but he now appears to be nearing full training involvement again.

White, meanwhile, has been working his way back from the groin problem he picked up during the win over Sunderland in September, an injury that ruled him out of the defeat to Brighton before the international break and saw Thomas Tuchel leave him out of the England squad entirely.

Elsewhere, Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, Havertz, and Christos Tzolis were all absent from the grass session. Rice withdrew from the England setup at the start of the break due to load management rather than injury, though he has been managing long-term neural hamstring discomfort. Konsa picked up a knock against Spain before eventually playing 90 minutes against Croatia, while Tzolis was substituted just 18 minutes into Greece's game with the Netherlands after suffering a hamstring injury of his own.

William Saliba continues to recover from the back injury that has kept him out of action for Arsenal all season.

Youth prospects involved

Hale End product Emerson Nwaneri took part in first-team training wearing a number 11 bib, with White reportedly getting the better of him in one duel during the session. Martin Zubimendi, who has featured for no more than 200 minutes for Arteta's side so far this campaign, was also seen in good spirits despite managing only around 100 minutes of action with Spain over the international break.

Arsenal will be hoping to shake off the heavy defeat to Brighton when Leeds, one of only five unbeaten sides left in the Premier League this season, visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.