Arsenal boss Arteta bullish ahead of Leicester clash despite revealing how Havertz was injured 

Gunners boss explains how striker Havertz injured hamstring during warm-weather camp in Dubai before the North Londoners travel to the East Midlands on Saturday lunchtime.  

The club confirmed on Thursday that Havertz would miss the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury.

Gabriel Jesus is also ruled out indefinitely with a knee issue while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are still sidelined. 

Speaking on Friday morning at London Colney ahead of the Gunners trip to Leicester on Saturday lunchtime, Arteta spoke about Havertz's injury, saying: "‘We were having a great camp in Dubai, recharging , training, connecting with nature and different environment," before adding: "He was going to stop a shot [after I ended a drill], he stretched his leg and then felt his hamstring."

With Liverpool dropping two points during their fierce Merseyside derby this week, Arteta's team are now seven points behind Arne Slot's Premier League leaders, with 14 matches to play. 

There was further good news when Arteta confirmed Ben White is now fit again after missing four months, and will be available for selection this weekend. 

Despite Arteta being bullish prior to the crunch clash at Leicester, the club's forward options are now restricted to Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling for the must-win match against the Foxes this weekend.

Havertz was Arsenal’s top scorer, with 15 goals across all competitions, but despite the injury heartbreak, an upbeat Arteta remained bullish throughout his Friday press conference.

When asked if the injuries will force him to change his tactical approach, Arteta said: "We have to [change playing approach because of injuries] it brings other opportunities, in the frontline we will have players who are unpredictable good in one-v-ones, creative and sharp, they'll give headaches to opposition.

"The intensity obviously has gone to a different level, the demands we put on players is higher and higher, it's a consequence of that. Long-term injuries, especially muscle and tendon-related ones, are increasing.

With Sterling, Nwaneri and Trossard only having scored a combined seven goals between them in the league, Arteta was asked if the club would consider signing a free agent: "I explore every possible situation and make a decision from there," Arteta.

When asked whether they could ask the Premier League for permission to play 15-year-old Max Dowman, Arteta explained: "We have Max, many other kids there, it was a big opportunity to see him in that environment. It's clear on the rules about age restrictions."

When asked if there was anything he could do in training to counteract demanding schedules and injury risk, Arteta responded by saying: "No, we train less than ever.

"We have less time for training. The muscles and tendons are not prepared to absorb the stress and don't have time to recover either."

The Foxes are still sweating over the fitness of Jamie Vardy, whose 11 Premier League goals against the Gunners is only inferior to Wayne Rooney's 12 and Harry Kane's 14.

Jannik Vestergaard (knock) and Victor Kristiansen (knock) will also be assessed prior to the match, but Ricardo Pereira (thigh) will be absent, along with long-term knee victim Abdul Fatawu.

Having been at Mikel Arteta’s press conference it was good to see him so bullish about the simply having to deal with the debilitating injuries Arsenal have suffered over the course of this season. Such a refreshing change from a certain boss we could mention…

Having been at Mikel Arteta’s press conference it was good to see him so bullish about the simply having to deal with the debilitating injuries Arsenal have suffered over the course of this season. Such a refreshing change from a certain boss we could mention…

— Layth (@laythy29) February 14, 2025