Arsenal will be without forward Kai Havertz for several more weeks as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
Havertz, who underwent surgery in August, had been targeting a return earlier this month but experienced a setback in his rehabilitation. Arteta indicated the issue has now been identified, but the player requires additional time before rejoining the squad.
The prolonged absence presents a selection dilemma for the upcoming fixture. With Havertz unavailable, options include deploying midfielder Mikel Merino in an advanced role again or recalling striker Viktor Gyökeres, who recently returned from his own injury layoff. Veteran forward Gabriel Jesus is also back in contention after a lengthy spell out.
Defensive concerns also persist, with the availability of William Saliba and Leandro Trossard in question after they missed the last match.
Arteta expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to navigate these challenges, citing the depth built over recent transfer windows. He pointed to the team’s resilience and the versatility of his players as key factors in maintaining their competitive level.
The manager also spoke highly of Havertz, praising his character and importance to the side, and stated everyone at the club is eager for his return.