Arsenal were dealt an unthinkable injury blow as reports surfaced regarding Kai Havertz’s fitness.
The Gunners’ trip to Dubai was supposed to be as positive as last year’s mid-season training camp but, disaster has struck.
Just as the Arsenal squad prepare to return from the Middle East, it was reported that Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The initial reports revealed that Havertz suffered a hamstring injury whilst in training and now, it’s understood that the Germany international’s campaign is over.
Arsenal will not scan free agent market after Kai Havertz injury news
The January transfer window was a disaster for Arsenal, as the Gunners failed to welcome any players despite Mikel Arteta pleading for a forward.
After Bukayo Saka’s surgery and Gabriel Jesus’ ACL injury, the squad was left incredibly short in attack, which has since got a lot worse.
Havertz’s injury is a nightmare, not eased by Gabriel Martinelli’s hamstring problem running concurrently to the others on the sidelines.
Being already short on resources and stretched to the absolute maximum in attack, Arsenal fans are furious at the Kroenke’s for the transfer window failures but, all hope is not lost.
There is still time to register a free agent but, whether Arsenal are prepared to exploit such possibility is another story.
Speaking exclusively to Arsenal Insider, transfer expert Graeme Bailey of TBR revealed what the Gunners are thinking after Havertz’s blow.
- On the injury, Bailey said:
“Arsenal have been rocked by Kai Havertz’s injury, I am told it has really shocked the squad and staff. Havertz was key to them and how they could finish the season, they really have belief in the German and still thought they could achieve huge success but he was central to that.”
- Internal switches are possible too, with Bailey claiming:
“In terms of what they are going to do without him, Mikel Arteta and his staff are discussing their options but they are limited.
“Gabriel Jesus is out, but they hope Saka will be back in March I am told and Martinelli will also be back this month if all goes to plan.
“That really means that Trossard and Sterling playing as false 9s – something they have both done in the past, is their likely option at this moment.
“I am told that they are looking at options within the squad too, which could maybe see a defender converted. But as said early days.”
- On the possibility of a free agent deal, he added:
“There is the option of free agents, but as it stands they are not looking at that as they already know there is very little out there that could improve their situation.”
There’s an extensive list of attacking free agents available at present, including former Chelsea striker Diego Costa but, the 36-year-old isn’t as appealing as he was 10 years ago.
Havertz injury news is an absolute disaster
Just as fans were handed good news as Saka returned to light training, yet another blow rocked the Arsenal squad.
Arteta has already hinted at the lack of depth in his squad, particularly in attack, with matters not getting any better as the season goes on.
After the failures of the summer transfer window, signing a forward in January was imperative but, the Arsenal board didn’t see it that way.
Now, Havertz’s season is over and additional pressure is on Arteta to find a way out of the darkness but, the manager’s options are extremely limited.
Arteta admitted his squad was bare after the summer, with shots at the board not expected to stop as the Spaniard continues to be hit with flurry after flurry of injury strain.
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