As Mikel Arteta returned from Dubai, after a trip that was supposed to be rejuvenating for his squad, the Arsenal manager was poring over various ideas to navigate a proper injury crisis.
Havertz’s hamstring injury means the Gunners will be down to the bare bones in attack over the next few weeks, compounding the decision not to sign a striker in January.
The issue will nevertheless invite inevitable questions over the intensity of Arteta’s training, in the same way that has happened to Ange Postecoglou, Erik ten Hag and countless other managers that have faced injury crises.
Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline the German for the rest of the season, means three first-choice attackers are all out.
It should be acknowledged Arsenal didn’t face these issues last season, and Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury wasn’t from fatigue.
