Several Arsenal players will be experiencing their first Christmas Day celebrations as new fathers. The Gunners’ squad will be hoping for a brief respite before their Boxing Day fixture against Brighton on the 27th, as Mikel Arteta and his team navigate the demanding festive schedule.
A year ago, there was perhaps even greater excitement amongst Arsenal’s ranks, as their Spanish manager was left momentarily stunned by a particular line of questioning. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both had expectant partners at that time last year, whilst Martin Odegaard had recently welcomed the arrival of his son with wife, Helene Spilling.
Following a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace last December, Arsenal temporarily closed the gap to Liverpool to just three points. A vastly different scenario compared to this campaign.
During that match, Havertz scored and celebrated by placing the ball beneath his shirt and sucking his thumb in tribute to his wife, Sophia Weber, who was expecting a baby. This came just days after Jesus performed an identical celebration during his hat-trick against the Eagles in the Carabao Cup.
Arteta found the subject of his players’ expanding families raised during his press conference following the Palace triumph. Arteta was asked: “I noticed in the week Gabriel Jesus celebrated his goal by the pregnancy thing.”
A surprised Arteta then heard: “Kai Havertz has done the same today because his partner’s pregnant and I hear that Martin Odegaard’s wife is pregnant as well. Is there anything you need to tell us about what you’re giving the players?”
Arteta could only respond with laughter before making a swift exit without providing an answer.
However, he did wish the press: “Merry Christmas, have a great one for you and your family! Thank you so much!”
Neither Havertz nor Jesus have had much to celebrate this season. Havertz was injured on the first day of the 2024/25 season, and a subsequent setback means he’s likely out until the new year.
The German international has been seen doing some pitch work but was reported as still being weeks away from full fitness earlier this month.
Jesus, on the other hand, hasn’t made his Premier League comeback since suffering an ACL injury in January. The Brazilian is back in training and has been named on the bench a few times, before a start in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Palace.
