Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s improved squad depth will help them cope after confirming Kai Havertz will be out for a few more weeks. The Germany forward, sidelined since August following knee surgery, suffered a setback when he attempted to increase his training load.
Arteta must now decide whether to continue using Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker for Wednesday’s match against Brentford or recall Viktor Gyökeres, who recently returned from injury. Gabriel Jesus is also pushing for a comeback after 11 months out.
Arsenal may again be without William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, meaning summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié could continue in central defence. Arteta said the club’s £250m summer rebuild has made the squad “more reliable” and better equipped to handle absences.
The manager expressed sympathy for Havertz, calling him a player he “loves” for his quality and personality. He said the team is eager for his return, believing it will provide a “massive boost” once he is fully fit.
