Mikel Arteta on Kai Havertz torn hamstring injury for Arsenal: 'It's a big blow but let's see what we're made of'
Updated 16/02/2025 at 15:56 GMT
Mikel Arteta has reacted to the latest injury in his squad after Kai Havertz sustained a torn hamstring during a training camp in Dubai. Arsenal have a long list of offensive injuries and Arteta said the Gunners have been through a lot this campaign. In Havertz's absence, however, Mikel Merino netted a brace as a makeshift striker to see the Gunners claim a valuable 2-0 victory over Leicester.
Injuries are 'accidents waiting to happen' due to heavy workload, says Arteta
Video credit: SNTV
Mikel Arteta said that Arsenal "have been through a lot" this season but are "looking forward" as Kai Havertz confirmed he had undergone a successful operation on his injured hamstring.
Havertz suffered a hamstring injury during the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
In the German's absence, however, Mikel Merino netted a brace as a makeshift striker to see the Gunners claim a valuable 2-0 victory over Leicester City on Saturday.
Confirming his operation was successful, Havertz posted on social media on Sunday: "The last few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally. But yesterday was a good day. A successful op and a win.
"Thanks for all the messages of support over the last few days, it's really helped.
"I'm now focused on my journey to full fitness and giving all the support I can give to the team in the background."
The German joins Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus as long-term absentees, while Gabriel Martinelli is also expected to be sidelined for over a month.
"We were having a great camp in Dubai, recharging, training, connecting with nature and a different environment. Then the injury happened in an unexpected way, it's a big blow because of injuries we have," Arsenal boss Arteta explained on Friday.
"Fortunately, we have been through a lot this season, it's the challenge I have. We love it. Let's see what the team is made of.
"Any team in this league loses four players in the frontline like that and I know what the answer will be."
Arteta suggested that Arsenal were keen to bring in a forward following Jesus’ anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January, even before the Havertz incident.
The club failed to sign anyone during the winter transfer window despite already being short, while they are now left with just three senior attackers following Havertz’s injury: Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
"It's a question of when. He has the right qualities, to play out wide or centrally," Arteta answered when asked if Nwaneri can play up front. "We must adapt to the strengths of our players.
"When you try your best [to sign a player in the transfer window] and do everything you are capable of and do your homework, you can have regrets but at least you know that you did it."
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On Saka, who is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, Arteta said: "It's too early; he's in [an] early stage of rehab. When he's closer, doing more workload, we will see how he is.
"Ben White is in training more regularly now," he added. "We have to manage his load, but he is available [for Saturday's match against Leicester]."
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