Mikel Arteta had to contend with a sickness bug as he selected an Arsenal side to face Brentford on New Year’s Day.
Arsenal were able to complete a comeback to record a 3-1 victory in this Premier League clash at the Gtech Community Stadium. After Bryan Mbeumo put the hosts ahead, the Gunners fought back with goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta’s side had to earn this win without some key players. Bukayo Saka is out with injury, and Ben White, Raheem Sterling, and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined.
However, the Arsenal squad was also hit with a sickness bug ahead of this fixture, prompting further changes to the teamsheet.
Kai Havertz was ruled out of this match due to succumbing to this illness.
Mikel Arteta gives promising Kai Havertz update after Brentford
Ethan Nwaneri stepped up for Arsenal on his first Premier League start as he joined the forward line, whilst the goals from Jesus and Martinelli meant that the visitors’ attacking contingent was able to deliver even without Saka and Havertz on the pitch.
However, Arteta will still be hopeful to have Havertz back in action when his side take on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Speaking to the official Arsenal website after the win over Brentford, the Spanish coach discussed the toll that this bug took on his team.
Arteta said: “Yes, on the pitch and off the pitch as well… But these things happen, I mean, in this period there’s always things; throat infections, viruses, so I tried to delay the line-up as well as far as possible because you can get up in the morning and have a surprise unfortunately.
“I leave that one to the doctor. Obviously it’s in relation to the symptoms that they have. With Kai [Havertz] it was obvious, he wasn’t feeling well at all and he had very clear symptoms so stay away from it, put him in a car and go back to home.”
When asked if Havertz will be fit to face the Seagulls, Arteta replied: “I think so yes, I think he will recover very quickly.”
Likely Arsenal changes vs Brighton
Whilst Arteta is confident that Havertz will return against Brighton, there will still be concerns about Declan Rice. The midfielder did not make it off the bench against the Bees due to a fitness niggle.
On top of that, the Gunners will be forced into a change at right-back against Brighton, after Jurrien Timber picked up a one-match Premier League ban following another booking against Brentford.
Thomas Partey could fill in for Timber this weekend, but his availability to do so may depend on Rice’s fitness. Alternatively, Riccardo Calafiori could shuffle across to the opposite side of the defence.
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