Arsenal’s director, Michael Artetta, says he loves the challenge to lose his main choices forward in injury, but believes that the loss of Kai Havertz was “an accident that is waiting to happen” due to the load on players at the top Premier League.
Havertz is out for the rest of the season with an injury and joins Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka on the sidelines.
Arsenal has Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli – all playing regularly.
It remains to see who will be used in a central role in the coming weeks.
A medical information about Kai Havertz.
– Arsenal (@arsenal) February 13th 2025
Arteta said: “We had a large camp in Dubai, recharge, education, nature connection and different environment. Then, Havertz’s injury happened in an unexpected way, is a big blow due to injuries we have.
“Fortunately we have spent a lot of this season, this is the challenge I have. We like. Let’s see what the team is.
“If some team in this league loses four players at their forefront, as I know what the answer will be.”
Arteta said SAKA and defender Ben White have returned to the early stages of training, but they will not be available to deal with Leicester this weekend.
Arsenal tried to bring Ollie Watkins during the January transfer window as it was already light in attack, but Arteta says its side should face their last loss.
He said: “With loads and minutes, it is inevitable, it is an accident that is waiting to happen. This season is its accumulation, stress. Is it bad luck? Certainly the program is demanding and for explosive players becomes a matter.
“The tension has obviously gone to a different level, the demands we put on the players are higher and higher. It is a consequence of it. Long -term injuries, especially muscle and tendons, are increasing.
“We train less than ever. We have less time for training. The problem is that the muscles are then overly trained, so the muscles and tendons are not ready to absorb stress and do not have time to recover.”
