Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leicester City on Saturday, but the break has done them no favours. Instead of coming back refreshed, Mikel Arteta’s squad has been further depleted, with Kai Havertz ruled out for the season due to a hamstring injury.
The timing could not be worse. The Gunners are already without key players, and the lack of attacking reinforcements in January now looks like a major oversight. Despite this, Arteta remains bullish. He insists his squad has the resilience to overcome setbacks, but this latest injury raises serious questions about their ability to sustain a title challenge.
Arsenal’s last outing was a disastrous 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup semi-finals, a performance devoid of the energy and sharpness that saw them dismantle Manchester City days earlier. That loss means they are now fighting on only two fronts: the Premier League and the Champions League. Given their growing injury list, that may be a blessing in disguise.
Havertz’s absence is particularly problematic. His pressing, aerial ability, and link-up play have been integral to Arsenal’s attacking structure. Without him, Arteta is left scrambling for solutions. There has been speculation about Ethan Nwaneri playing up front, while Leandro Trossard, or even Declan Rice could be shifted into unfamiliar roles. None of these options is ideal.
The manager is adamant that his squad can cope. He pointed out on Friday that they have already played without William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Bukayo Saka at different points this season and remained competitive. However, there is a limit to how much a team can absorb before cracks start to show.
The gap to league leaders Liverpool is seven points, but Arsenal have been in this position before. Last season, a post-Christmas surge propelled them into a commanding lead before injuries and fatigue caught up with them. If history is to avoid repeating itself, they need to adapt quickly.
