Mikel Arteta weighs up drastic action in the wake of Kai Havertz bombshell
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will have to make do without the services of Kai Havertz for the remainder of the season after the former Chelsea man tore his hamstring in Dubai
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will have to make do without the services of Kai Havertz for the remainder of the season after the former Chelsea man tore his hamstring in DubaiMikel Arteta has plenty to ponder after losing Kai Havertz to injury (
Image: Alex Pantling)
Arsenal may not have had a game last weekend, but it's still been an eventful few days for Mikel Arteta and co.
Unfortunately, it's not for a good reason, either, as the Gunners face up to the news that Kai Havertz - their last remaining senior striker - will miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring in training.
That will put a real dampener on Arsenal's warm weather training camp in Dubai, which was the catalyst for a major upturn in form last season. Whether lightning can strike twice now remains to be seen.
Ahead of Saturday's big game against Premier League strugglers Leicester City, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest news from in and around The Emirates...
Arteta weighs up options
Mikel Arteta may have to think outside the box when it comes to replacing Kai Havertz.
The Germany international was set to lead the line for Arsenal during the second half of the season after the club failed to add to their striking options in the January transfer window.
But with Havertz now joining the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka on the sidelines, it remains to be seen who will get the nod to play as Arsenal's No.9.
Leandro Trossard seems the most likely option and has played centrally for the Gunners before, but fans have also speculated online that Mikel Merino could be used as an emergency centre-forward if needed.
Havertz may need surgery
Kai Havertz is the latest Arsenal star to suffer an injury blow (
Image:
AP)
Join the debate! Who do you think should lead the line for Arsenal? Let us know here
On that bombshell news, it remains to be seen if Kai Havertz will require surgery after tearing his hamstring.
Havertz sustained the injury earlier this week during a training session in Dubai, where Arsenal have headed for warm-weather training.
And The Athletic report that it's currently unclear whether or not Havertz will have to undergo surgery in order to be fit for the start of 2025-26 campaign.
Gunners slammed over Nketiah sale
Teddy Sheringham reckons Arsenal made a mistake selling Eddie Nketiah
Teddy Sheringham reckons Mikel Arteta and Arsenal dropped a clanger by selling Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace in the summer.
The Hale End graduate hasn't scored a single Premier League goal since moving down to south London - but Sheringham still says he cannot get his head around the decision to let Nketiah, a "goal scorer", leave without bringing in a replacement.
“I’m astounded they let Eddie Nketiah join Crystal Palace, because he is the type of player that scores goals, I think he is a young Ian Wright,” Sheringham told finaria.it.
“Obviously [he was] not ready to lead the line full-time for Arsenal, but to throw him in every now and again. When you’re beating an Everton 2-0, throw Eddie in and let him score a couple, have a couple of chances, get his confidence up. When you play against Crystal Palace at home, you win 3-0, throw Eddie in, get him a goal, get him a bit of confidence.
“He’s a goal scorer. He comes alive in the box. That’s what Arsenal need, from my perspective.”
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