Arsenal Eye Crucial Run With Fresh Injury Blow to Havertz

Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow ahead of decisive run

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been dealt another setback ahead of a crucial run in a season where the Gunners chase four titles. The spate of injuries leaves their frontline shorthanded as the campaign heads into a decisive phase.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League on 56 points, three clear of Manchester City, with a potential six-point gap if they beat Brentford on Thursday in the 26th round.

They also reached the Champions League knockout stage, finishing top of their group with 24 points from eight fixtures.

Arsenal are set to contest the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City in March and remain in the FA Cup chase as well.

But Arteta's latest blow comes as German midfielder Kai Havertz suffers another muscle injury, ruling him out for at least three matches despite a recent return from a long layoff.

Journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic said Havertz will miss the next three Premier League games, against Brentford, Wolverhampton, and Tottenham, and he hopes the issue isn't serious for the Germany international.

Havertz played only 30 minutes in Arsenal's Premier League opener vs Manchester United before another spell on the sidelines, then rejoined late January, only to be struck again. His absence compounds Arsenal's attacking concerns, with Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, and Leandro Trossard sidelined and Martin Ødegaard not yet fully fit.