Mikel Arteta has suggested that the seasonal injury of Kai Havertz was inevitable in view of the workloads that were placed on players.
Havertz sustained the hamstring injury during a training camp for warm weather in Dubai and his absence leaves Arsenal without a recognized center for the rest of the campaign.
The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals this season in all matches for the Gunners, with nine in the Premier League.
The second highest scorer from Arsenal in the competition is Gabriel Martinelli of six goals, which is currently also injured.
“With the loads and minutes it is inevitable, it's an accident that wait to happen,” said Arteta.
“This season it is the accumulation thereof, the stress. Is it happiness? Sure, the schedule is demanding, and it will be a problem for explosive players.”
Havertz has also generated the highest XG (9.43) in the Arsenal team, with absent Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in second place and third.
With Gabriel Jesus for the rest of the season, Leandro Trossard is now the highest fit goalscorer from Arsenal with four goals, while Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri and Thomas Peny are all on three.
A medical update about Kai Havertz.
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) February 13, 2025
But Arteta believes that his team is well prepared for the rest of the season, after he had previously sustained long -term injuries to important players Martin Odegaard, Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the last two are still out.
“We had a great camp in Dubai, charging, training, connecting with nature and other environment,” he said. “Then the injury happened in an unexpected way, it is a big blow because of the injuries we have.
“Fortunately we have experienced a lot this season, it is the challenge I have. We love it. Let's see what the team was made of.”
Although they were associated with a large number of attacking names during the transfer star of January, such as Matheus Cunha, Alexander Isak and Evan Ferguson, Arsenal could not get a deal about the line to add depth to their attack.
Arteta acknowledged the difficulties they were dealing with, but remained philosophical about it rather than frustrated.
“If you do your best and do everything you are able and do your homework, you can regret, but at least you know you did it,” he said.
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