Arteta continues to struggle with injuries: Kai Havertz joins Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli on the sidelines.
Arsenal decided to take advantage of the EFL Carabao Cup break to get away from cold, wet and miserable London and training a few days in Dubai. The Gunners were eliminated by Newcastle from the Cup competition and lost their semi-final by an aggregated score of 4-0
The Mikel Arteta team flew to the Gulf State for a few days of training in the warm weather in the NAS Sports Complex, but Trip turned out to be a precious one, because Kai Havertz joined a growing injury list.
Havertz to miss the rest of the season
The German attacker suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season – further exhaust the attacking options of Arsenal when entering the decisive part of the campaign.
Three of the top scorers of the team are already in the victim room this season: Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Gabriel Martinelli (Hamstring) and Bukayo Saka (Hamstring). The decision not to sign an attacker in recent transfer windows, an introduction to a movement, causes a commotion again, especially now that the winter market is closed.
Currently, Arteta's attacking options are limited to Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and emerging star Ethan Nwaneri. With a full schedule in front of the bow, the manager may also have to dive into the reserves.
Who could sign Arsenal?
The only other alternative would be to temporarily strengthen the team with players who are free agents. Potential candidates include Carlos Vela, who previously played for the club and is now a free agent after leaving Lafc; Mariano Díaz, who is still without a club at the age of 31 and is promising in Ligue 1; And Diego Costa, whose signing would certainly surprise many because of his past with Chelsea.
For now, Arteta will rely on Sterling, Trossard and Nwaneri as his most important attacking options for Saturday's Premier League match against Leicester. Arsenal is currently in second place on 50 points, behind Liverpool, which expanded their lead at the top of the table to seven points after an exciting 2-2 draw in the last Merseyside Derby that is played in Goodison on Wednesday evening.
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