Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s strengthened squad is helping them cope with a growing injury list, as he confirmed Kai Havertz will be out for several more weeks. The German forward, sidelined since August after knee surgery, suffered a setback during rehab and “could not go to the next level,” delaying his return.
Arteta must now decide whether to continue with Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker against Brentford or bring back Viktor Gyökeres, who recently returned from injury. Gabriel Jesus is also pushing for involvement after nearly a year on the sidelines.
Arsenal may again be without William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, meaning summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are likely to continue in central defence.
Arteta said the club’s heavy investment this summer—around £250m—has made the squad “more reliable” and better equipped to handle injuries. He praised the versatility within the squad, highlighting Merino’s adaptability as an example.
On Havertz’s situation, Arteta expressed empathy and optimism: “We’re all desperate to have him back. His personality and what he brings to the team are huge, and I can’t wait to see him playing again.”
