Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has denied ever saying that Gunners forward Kai Havertz needed to bulk up when asked about it by a reporter.

Arteta gave his press conference on Tuesday and discussed a variety of topics ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Havertz could be in contention to play against his former club at Stamford Bridge, though the Germany international has only recently returned from a lengthy injury, so probably won’t be rushed straight back into the starting XI.

Still, Havertz was able to make an appearance from the bench in Arsenal’s weekend win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

When asked about Havertz’s physical condition, Arteta responded to claims that he’d asked the 26-year-old to “bulk up”.

Mikel Arteta clarifies comments about Kai Havertz

Watch the video clip below as Arteta takes issue with the reporter’s wording, suggesting he’d been misquoted.

Instead, the Spanish tactician simply explained that he wanted Havertz to improve in a number of areas due to the fact that a long time out injured would affect his overall strength…

“I did?” Arteta said when told he’d asked Havertz to bulk up.

“Stronger yeah, but to bulk up, I don’t think I used that word…

“Stronger in every area,...