Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gives update on Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze injuries

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Mikel Arteta has hinted that the injuries suffered by Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze in the win over Newcastle may not be serious. Eze scored the vital winner in a nervy 1-0 victory on Saturday night , but fans left the Emirates Stadium worried about two key players.

Injuries to the attacking duo took the shine off a priceless victory, with Eze's stunning early goal enough to send them back to the Premier League summit. It was Havertz, who teed up the England star from a short corner in the ninth minute, who departed just, going down just after half hour mark.

And things went from bad to worse on the injury front when Eze followed him off the pitch early in the second half, being replaced by Gabriel Martinelli.

Arteta was asked for an update on the pair by Sky Sports after the game and said: "Let's see. At the moment they have to be looked after but hopefully they're going to be OK."

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In a different interview with Match of the Day, Arteta added: "Both of them had to come off, I think it was small niggles. We don't know the extent of that. Probably tomorrow we will know more."

Asked about selecting Martin Odegaard and Eze together for only the second time this season, Arteta said: "Well, they haven't been available much in this season and that's been a big part.

"With Kai and Bukayo [Saka], they've never played together, which is incredible. We've had to manage a lot of situations this season. We have lost a few players tonight, but the good thing is that the team continues to compete."

With the title race at an advanced stage, losing either Eze or Havertz for a significant period would be a huge blow for Arsenal , who started the afternoon second on goal difference.

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Havertz was once again selected ahead of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line, while Eze impressed alongside Martin Odegaard in an advanced midfield role.

"It makes it more difficult," said Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports . "Because at least when you've got an option to come off the bench and you need that striker, whether you start with Havertz - which does feel like the best option out of the two. Maybe you start with someone else up front, maybe you play Eze as a false nine up front.

"You'd like to have that other one as an option. It didn't look good to be honest. Eze, maybe less so, he might be OK. But I didn't feel like Havertz was going to be OK for a couple of weeks, but I'm not a doctor."

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