🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta has expressed confidence that his squad can persist in handling with player absences after confirming that attacker Kai Havertz remains out for the coming weeks.

Prolonged Recovery for German Star

Havertz has been out since August following knee surgery. Initially expected to come back sooner, Arteta revealed the player hit a snag when stepping up his recovery and failed to reach “the required stage.”

“We learned, and we were able to put together a group that is much more reliable and has more options,” commented Arteta.

Tactical Decisions for Midweek Fixture

This update creates a selection headache for Wednesday’s fixture at the Emirates against Brentford. A decision is required between sticking with Mikel Merino, who got a goal in an unfamiliar forward role against Chelsea, or recalling Viktor Gyökeres, who came back after a fitness issue in the latter stages. Veteran striker Gabriel Jesus is available post-recovery.

Defensive Concerns Remain

More doubts involve centre-back William Saliba and attacker Leandro Trossard, who sat out the weekend encounter. As a result, summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are expected to continue in the backline for the league leaders.

Arteta feels the £250m spend on squad depth ahead of this season has resulted in a much stronger position to deal with such absences.

Squad Depth Vital for Premier League Pursuit

In response if a larger pool of players was benefiting their championship push, his response was positive. “Indeed, as this campaign has seen more issues in some areas, and now the situation with the defence,” he added.

“Our previous experiences taught us that we must deploy players in different positions, and they need to be prepared to fulfil different roles if we aim to challenge at the top. And the case of Mikel is probably the prime illustration.”

Manager’s Sympathy for Frustrated Havertz

Speaking about the setback noted by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, the manager gave additional context. “He was doing everything. He failed to advance to the next level and now it’s looking like we have unlocked that.”

The manager conveyed his personal desire to welcome him back. “We’re all desperate to have him. Truly, it’s a player that, for me, I love so much for the qualities he offers to the team, but his personality, his personality. I see him suffer on the sidelines.”

“His fitness history is outstanding, he's rarely been injured, and I look forward to get him back with the squad and playing because I feel it’s going to be a massive boost.”