🔗 Share this article

Mikel Arteta feels assured that his team can continue to cope with player absences following revealing that attacker Kai Havertz remains out for the coming weeks.

Prolonged Recovery for German Star

The Germany international has been absent since the summer following an operation on his knee. Hoped to come back earlier in December, Arteta explained the player hit a snag when increasing his recovery and could not progress “to the next level.”

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

Tactical Decisions for Brentford Clash

This update creates a selection headache for Wednesday’s fixture at the Emirates against Brentford. A decision is required between persisting with Mikel Merino, who found the net as a makeshift striker against Chelsea, or reinstating Viktor Gyökeres, who came back after a fitness issue in the latter stages. Long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus remains an option following a lengthy absence.

Fitness Doubts Remain

More doubts involve defender William Saliba and winger Leandro Trossard, who both missed the weekend encounter. As a result, recent arrivals Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are expected to continue in central defence for the table-toppers.

Arteta believes the £250m spend on new players ahead of this season has left Arsenal in a much stronger position to navigate such unavailability.

Greater Options Key to Premier League Pursuit

In response if more options was benefiting their title quest, Arteta was emphatic. “Absolutely, as this campaign has been worse in some areas, and now the problems with the backline,” he added.

“We learned from the past that we have to use players in various roles, and they have to be able to perform various functions if we want to compete at this level. And the example of Mikel is probably the prime illustration.”

Arteta's Support for Suffering Havertz

Speaking about the complication previously mentioned by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, Arteta provided additional context. “He followed all protocols. He could not go to the subsequent stage and now it’s looking like we have unlocked that.”

Arteta expressed his personal desire to see him return. “We’re all desperate to have him. I mean, he is a footballer who, personally, I value highly for his contributions to the team, but his character, his nature. I watch him struggle on the sidelines.”

“His availability record is phenomenal, he's usually fit, and I can’t wait to have him back around the team on the pitch because I believe it’s going to be a significant uplift.”