According to Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel, Kai Havertz will be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time after suffering a “worrying” muscular injury during the team’s journey to Dubai, causing Arsenal to suffer yet another significant first-team setback.
Despite their best efforts, the Gunners were unable to acquire a single new player during the January transfer window. The Arsenal team will be pushed to the limit, though, since Havertz is being treated alongside Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Gabriel Martinelli.
It will be difficult for Mikel Arteta and his team to catch up to league leaders Liverpool, and the Champions League knockout stages are also quickly approaching. If the team is to have any chance of winning this season, the Spanish tactician will need every player on the roster to step up. Keeping that in mind, here is how the north Londoners might lineup for the upcoming weeks, which include an away Premier League match against Leicester City on February 15.
Thankfully, Arteta will still be able to play a formidable lineup for the defensive half of the team despite injuries plaguing his offensive options. With Gabriel and William Saliba, one of the division’s top center-back tandems, in front of him, David Raya will continue to play in goal.
Although it’s a tie between the two, Arteta would prefer the Italian’s senior experience to strengthen the team’s backbone given that Riccardo Calafiori is healthy and ready to play. Myles Lewis-Skelly has recently performed admirably at left-back.
Jurrien Timber ought to proceed on the other flank in the interim. White has already resumed training, so he should be ready to rejoin the team shortly, but he might not be fully recovered yet.
Midfield
Partey, Rice, Odegaard
There are also good alternatives for Arteta near the center of the park, much like in defense. Thomas Partey, who is anticipated to remain in defensive midfield, has been productive for the Gunners in recent weeks thanks to his connection with Declan Rice in a slightly advanced role.
Martin Odegaard, the team’s captain, need to stay in his creative capacity. Fans have voiced concerns about his lackluster offensive performance this season, especially in light of the attacking players’ ailments. The Norwegian should seize the chance to contribute more directly in the games that are coming up.
Attack
Sterling, Trossard, Nwaneri
At this point, any potential lineup for Arsenal begins to show signs of weakness. Saka, Havertz, and Martinelli would have been the ideal trio for Arteta to lead his side, but none of them are available for selection. Gabriel Jesus is a man who has frequently filled in for any of the three players named above who have been injured, but fans shouldn’t expect to see him near a football field until at least the next season.
Only Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling remain the team’s natural attackers. Despite making eighteen appearances during his loan at the club, the former is yet to make a firm announcement about his arrival at the Emirates. In the end, the Chelsea star is anticipated to man the left wing, and this is his chance to show the division how valuable he is.
Having served in a type of false-nine capacity in the past, Trossard will probably be Arteta’s first choice without Havertz.
Last but not least, although Arsenal hasn’t had much luck this season, Ethan Nwaneri’s rise to prominence is one of the few instances. The 17-year-old has scored seven goals in all competitions, more than any other player at the club, and in a lot fewer minutes. He will be viewed by many as the attack’s shining spot throughout this difficult period.
