Arsenal's Star Striker Kai Havertz Sidelined for Make-or-Break Brentford Showdown
Arsenal faces intense scrutiny ahead of Thursday's only Premier League match, but the North London club must restore their six-point lead at the summit without the services of Kai Havertz.
Manchester City's triumph on Wednesday evening reduced Arsenal's buffer to merely three points as they gear up for a challenging London derby away from home. Brentford sits seventh in the table after exceeding expectations under Keith Andrews' guidance and has suffered only two defeats at home in Premier League action.
Fitness concerns compound Arsenal's difficulties at the Gtech Community Stadium, with numerous key players expected to miss this pivotal match.
Among the absentees is Havertz, whose recent comeback from an extended injury spell had delivered significant encouragement for Mikel Arteta. However, the German midfielder finds himself back in the medical room ahead of Thursday's fixture.
Why Is Kai Havertz Missing for Brentford Clash?
Why Is Kai Havertz Missing for Brentford Clash?
Regrettably for the unfortunate 26-year-old, another setback has necessitated his return to rehabilitation. Havertz has featured in six matches since recovering from a five-month spell on the sidelines, even contributing four goals and assists in recent weeks, but his momentum has been interrupted by a muscular problem.
BBC Sport indicates his current condition will keep him out for a minimum of two weeks, potentially causing him to miss four fixtures for the Gunners. The initial absence covers the Brentford visit, followed by an FA Cup fourth round encounter with Wigan Athletic and subsequent Premier League battles against Wolverhampton Wanderers and local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Havertz's fitness setback creates additional headaches for Arteta, who is already managing multiple injury concerns. In his pre-match media briefing, he suggested a potential comeback for Bukayo Saka and the inclusion of Leandro Trossard following his withdrawal due to injury against Sunderland over the weekend, though neither player is confirmed to participate.
Additionally, skipper Martin Ødegaard remains unavailable and prospect Max Dowman will not rejoin training until the following week. Mikel Merino is also sidelined for approximately three to five months after undergoing foot surgery.
Havertz had been utilized in central midfield since his return to the squad, and with Ødegaard and Merino unavailable, Arteta faces limited choices in the middle of the park against Brentford. Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice are guaranteed starters, with Eberechi Eze the most probable candidate to fill the void left by his injured colleagues.