🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta feels assured that his team can keep managing with player absences following disclosing that star striker Kai Havertz is not ready for several more weeks.

Prolonged Recovery for German Star

The Germany international has been absent since August due to an operation on his knee. Hoped to come back earlier in December, the manager stated the player hit a snag when advancing his recovery and could not progress “the required stage.”

“Our experience helped us build a squad that is far more dependable and has more options,” commented Arteta.

Selection Dilemma for Brentford Clash

This news leaves a selection headache for the midweek home game against Brentford. Arteta must choose between persisting with Mikel Merino, who scored in an unfamiliar forward role last weekend, or recalling Viktor Gyökeres, who featured briefly after a fitness issue off the bench. Veteran striker Gabriel Jesus is in contention post-recovery.

Defensive Concerns Persist

Further fitness issues involve defender William Saliba and winger Leandro Trossard, who sat out the Chelsea match. Consequently, new recruits Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are expected to start again in the backline for the table-toppers.

The manager is convinced the significant outlay on reinforcements in the last transfer window has left Arsenal in a much stronger position to navigate such absences.

Squad Depth Vital for Title Challenge

In response if more options was helping their league challenge, his response was positive. “Yes, because this season has seen more issues in the attacking line, and now the situation with the defence,” he noted.

“We learned from the past that we need to utilize players in various roles, and they must be capable to perform various functions if we want to compete at the highest level. And the case of Mikel Merino.”

Arteta's Support for Frustrated Star

Commenting on the complication noted by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, Arteta provided further detail. “His recovery was progressing. He was unable to progress to the next level and now the signs are like we have unlocked that.”

He shared his eagerness to see him return. “The team is keen to have him. I mean, it’s a player that, in my view, I value highly for what he brings to the team, but his mentality, his attitude. I see him suffer on the sidelines.”

“His availability record is phenomenal, he's usually fit, and I am eagerly awaiting to have him back with the squad and playing because I believe it’s going to be a significant uplift.”