Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal forward Kai Havertz could return from injury before the end of the season to boost the Gunners' bid for Champions League glory.
Havertz was expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a hamstring injury during the club's training camp in Dubai in February.
The Germany international needed surgery but was seen stepping up his rehabilitation in videos on social media this week, sparking hope he could be back in time for a potential Champions League final appearance.
Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the quarterfinal first leg on Tuesday as they aim to win the tournament for the first time.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford, Gunners boss Arteta offered welcome news about Havertz's recovery timetable.
"Hopefully we can have him back before the end of season," he told reporters on Friday.
“Let's see. Every injury isn't the same. Great work ethic, desperate to get back playing as quick as possible - and a great medical staff as well to look after them.
"Once you get to the last stage of that rehab, you can understand better how close or far you are to make that next step."
That would be a massive boost for Arsenal, who have been forced to use Spain midfielder Mikel Merino as a striker in the absence of Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Havertz, who scored Chelsea's Champions League final winner in 2021, has netted 17 times in all competitions this season.
Despite criticism of the 25-year-old's finishing, he has the experience and quality to provide a huge lift if he can return in time for the closing weeks of the season.
Arsenal are already on a high after producing one of the greatest results in the club's storied history against Real.
"There has been an unbelievable energy around the place. It was a very special night. That's over and now our full focus is on Brentford because it is a game that will require the best of us," Arteta said.
'BIGGEST STAGES'
With the second leg in Madrid looming on Wednesday, Arteta refused to reveal if he would rest several of his stars against Brentford.
"Just normality. This is our context, play every three days and playing in different competitions on the biggest stages. Playing in Europe then coming back and facing a different challenge in the Premier League," he said.
"If you want to become a team that has the capacity to win in any of those then you have to do it every three days, regardless of the scenario."
Declan Rice was Arsenal's hero against Real with two blistering free-kicks in the second half.
The England midfielder had never scored from a free kick in his career prior to netting the first against Real, but Arteta is hoping to add a regular goalscoring threat to the defensive midfielder's performances.
"That is something we discuss a lot. The different ways he can create moments in and around the box whether it is through crosses or scoring goals because he has all the qualities," he said.
"He can run into the box, he can eliminate people by dribbling, he has a long-range shot. That's where we are heading with him, to become someone that can decide a game with different tools."
ARTETA URGES ARSENAL TO CARRY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MOMENTUM INTO BRENTFORD CLASH
Arsenal are high on energy following Champions League win over Real Madrid and manager Mikel Arteta has urged his side to carry forward the momentum to their Premier League home game against Brentford on Saturday.
Arsenal stunned Champions League holders Real Madrid with a 3-0 victory on Tuesday and Arteta is now keen for the team to turn their attention to the Premier League, where they currently trail league leaders Liverpool by 11 points.
"There's been an unbelievable energy, a special night. That's over. Now full focus on Brentford, it's a game that is going to require the best of us," Arteta told reporters on Friday.
"It's not about bringing them back to earth, it's about maintaining the energy and putting it into Brentford. It's a team that, when you look at what they've done, is an incredible story. A big credit to them."
With a demanding schedule ahead, including Saturday's game against 12th-placed Brentford and the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Arteta said he will rotate players according to the schedule rather than the opposition.
"We will look at how the players recovered, because it's not just about the Real Madrid game, it's about the schedule in the next few weeks as well," Arteta said.
"... This is our context - play every three days and play in different competitions on the biggest stages. Playing in Europe then coming back and facing a different challenge in the Premier League.
"If you want to become a team that has the capacity to win in any of those then you have to do it every three days, regardless of the scenario."
Arteta said Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are both fit after coming off with knocks against Real, however, he did not put a timeline for the return of defender Riccardo Calafiori, who injured his knee last month.
The 43-year-old also hinted at an early return for midfielder Kai Havertz, who underwent surgery after a hamstring injury in February.
"The mindset of those two players (Saka and Havertz) is very similar. Great injury history, work ethics, desperate to get back as quickly as possible. A great medical staff to look after them," he said.
"Hopefully we can have him (Havertz), but let's wait. But the last stage of the rehab, it's when you can understand better to make that last step."