🔗 Share this article Mikel Arteta Hails a More Dependable Team and Acknowledges Kai Havertz Injury Blow. Arsenal's manager remains confident that his team can keep managing with injury setbacks after confirming that attacker Kai Havertz remains out for the coming weeks. Extended Absence for German Star The German forward has been out for months due to an operation on his knee. Hoped to come back earlier in December, Arteta revealed the player faced a hurdle when increasing his training and was unable to move forward “to the next level.” “We took lessons, and managed to assemble a team that is much more reliable and has increased versatility,” stated the manager. Selection Dilemma for Brentford Clash This update presents a dilemma for the midweek fixture at the Emirates against Brentford. A decision is required between persisting with Mikel Merino, who found the net playing out of position against Chelsea, or bringing back Viktor Gyökeres, who came back after a fitness issue off the bench. Veteran striker Gabriel Jesus is in contention after 11 months out. Fitness Doubts Persist Further fitness issues involve centre-back William Saliba and winger Leandro Trossard, who were absent for the weekend encounter. Therefore, new recruits Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié are expected to keep their places in the heart of the defence for the Premier League front-runners. The manager is convinced the substantial investment on squad depth ahead of this season has left Arsenal in a much stronger position to navigate such unavailability. Squad Depth Vital for Title Challenge Questioned if more options was benefiting their league challenge, the manager agreed. “Absolutely, as this campaign has been worse in some areas, and now the problems with the backline,” he continued. “History has shown us that we need to utilize players in various roles, and they need to be prepared to adapt to new tasks if we aim to challenge at the highest level. And the example of Mikel is just the best one.” Manager’s Sympathy for Suffering Havertz Commenting on the delay highlighted by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, the manager gave additional context. “His recovery was progressing. He failed to advance to the next level and now it appears like we have unlocked that.” Arteta expressed his eagerness to see him return. “We’re all desperate to have him. Honestly, it’s a player that, in my view, I value highly for what he brings to the team, but his mentality, his personality. I see him suffer while sidelined.” “His fitness history is outstanding, he’s been always available, and I look forward to get him back around the team playing because I feel it’s going to be a massive boost.”