Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are better equipped than ever to handle injuries after confirming Kai Havertz will be out for a few more weeks. The striker, sidelined since August after knee surgery, struggled to progress in his rehabilitation and has suffered a setback.
Arteta must now decide whether to continue using Mikel Merino as a temporary striker against Brentford or turn to Viktor Gyökeres, who recently returned from a muscle injury. Gabriel Jesus is also pushing for involvement after nearly a year out.
Arsenal may again be without William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, meaning summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are likely to start in central defence. Arteta believes the club’s major summer investment has created a “more reliable” squad capable of covering absences across the pitch.
He praised the versatility within the group, saying players must adapt to different roles to compete at the highest level.
Arteta also expressed frustration at Havertz’s setback but optimism about his return, calling the German international “a massive boost” once fully fit.
