'A powerhouse' - Arteta backs Havertz to handle workload

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta concedes it is "a possibility" that Kai Havertz will have to start all of the remaining games this season after another striker was not signed in the transfer window.

After Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United in January, Arsenal were linked with strikers across Europe and had a bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins rejected.

Asked about the chances Havertz could now be expected to play every match between now and the end of the campaign, Arteta said: "It is a possibility, but maybe we go through that scenario and he scores another 15 or 18 goals.

"Can you imagine? That's a good scenario."

"Kai has played a lot of football but his robustness and his availability is unbelievable.

"Genetically, he is a powerhouse. He is so well-built. He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything - and then he really looks after himself.

"When you see the professional, how he lives his life, it is immaculate. He does more than any other player there. That is not a coincidence. And he is so intelligent. He knows what is good for him and what is not.

"We know how to manage him and we believe that when he says something it is for the right reason, not because he wants to avoid something. When something works, don't touch him."

Havertz will spearhead Arsenal's attack as they bid to overturn a two-goal deficit against Newcastle in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening.

"The next stop is a final in Wembley so we know how big that is and you can feel it," added Arteta. "The momentum is with us so now is the the moment to go full gas.

"We're excited, willing, hungry and enthusiastic because we are very close to playing a final."