Mikel Arteta reveals Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino Arsenal injury worry ahead of Chelsea

Mikel Arteta has explained why Mikel Merino was taken off at half-time during Arsenal's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

The Gunners dominated much of the match against the Serie A side but ultimately lost 1-0 following a Hakan Calhanoglu spot kick on the stroke of half time. Merino was judged to have handled the ball in the area and referee Istvan Kovacs did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.

Merino was replaced at half-time for Gabriel Jesus and Arteta revealed after the match that it was because the Spaniard was feeling the effects of an incident involving Yann Sommer midway through the first half. The Inter goalkeeper clattered Merino with his fists following a Gabriel Martinelli cross, with Merino getting his head to the ball and Sommer catching the midfielder in the head.

Asked if Merino was taken off because of the "punch", Arteta said: "Yes." He added: "No he was not concussed. Yesterday and today he was already not feeling great and when I looked at that I decided to take him off because I need him 100%."

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Kai Havertz was also forced off late in the second half, with captain Martin Odegaard replacing the German with just minutes to play. Havertz and Yann Bisseck clashed heads while challenging for a cross, which left the former Chelsea man with a huge cut on his head.

"Kai he has a big cut," Arteta said afterwards. "He had to come off because he needed some stitches. Hopefully he will be OK for the weekend."

Everyone associated with Arsenal will now be hoping both Merino and Havertz are fine for the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday. The Gunners are also sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice, who did not travel to Italy due to a foot injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Riccardo Calafiori are not expected to return until after the November international break.