🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta remains confident that his squad can persist in handling with fitness issues after revealing that star striker Kai Havertz will not return for the coming weeks.

Extended Absence for Havertz

Havertz has been sidelined since August following knee surgery. Originally slated to come back earlier in December, Arteta explained the player hit a snag when stepping up his rehabilitation and failed to reach “the next phase.”

“Our experience helped us build a group that is considerably steadier and has greater depth,” Arteta said.

Tactical Decisions for Midweek Fixture

This news creates a selection headache for the midweek home game against Brentford. Arteta must choose between continuing to use Mikel Merino, who found the net as a makeshift striker last weekend, or recalling Viktor Gyökeres, who came back from a muscle injury off the bench. Long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus remains an option post-recovery.

Defensive Concerns Remain

More doubts involve centre-back William Saliba and winger Leandro Trossard, who both missed the Chelsea match. Therefore, recent arrivals Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié will probably continue in the heart of the defence for the league leaders.

Arteta feels the £250m spend on squad depth in the last transfer window has resulted in a more robust situation to handle such unavailability.

Squad Depth Vital for Title Challenge

In response if more options was benefiting their championship push, Arteta was emphatic. “Indeed, as this campaign has seen more issues in some areas, and now the problems with the backline,” he noted.

“Our previous experiences taught us that we must deploy players in alternative spots, and they need to be prepared to fulfil different roles if we are to fight at the top. And the case of Mikel is just the best one.”

Manager’s Sympathy for Suffering Havertz

Commenting on the complication previously mentioned by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, Arteta offered more insight. “He was doing everything. He could not go to the required step and now it’s looking like we have overcome that hurdle.”

The manager conveyed his eagerness to see him return. “The team is keen to have him. I mean, Havertz is someone that, personally, I admire greatly for what he brings to the team, but his mentality, his personality. I watch him struggle on the sidelines.”

“His fitness history is outstanding, he’s been always available, and I can’t wait to get him back with the squad on the pitch because I think it’s going to be a massive boost.”