Arteta Hails a More Dependable Team and Acknowledges Kai Havertz Setback.

The Gunners' boss has expressed confidence that his squad can persist in handling with fitness issues after revealing that forward Kai Havertz is not ready for a few more weeks.

Prolonged Recovery for German Star

Havertz has been absent for months due to knee surgery. Hoped to return earlier in December, Arteta revealed the player faced a hurdle when increasing his training and was unable to move forward “the required stage.”

“We learned, and we were able to put together a team that is considerably steadier and has greater depth,” stated the manager.

Selection Dilemma for Midweek Fixture

This update leaves a selection headache for Wednesday’s match against Brentford. The manager needs to decide between continuing to use Mikel Merino, who found the net in an unfamiliar forward role against Chelsea, or bringing back Viktor Gyökeres, who came back off the bench as a substitute. Veteran striker Gabriel Jesus remains an option after 11 months out.

Defensive Concerns Persist

Further fitness issues affect centre-back William Saliba and winger Leandro Trossard, who both missed the Chelsea match. Therefore, summer signings Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié will probably continue in central defence for the Premier League front-runners.

Arteta believes the substantial investment on reinforcements in the last transfer window has resulted in a more robust situation to deal with such setbacks.

Squad Depth Vital for Premier League Pursuit

In response if increased squad depth was aiding their league challenge, Arteta was emphatic. “Yes, since the current term has been worse in certain positions, and now the situation with the defence,” he noted.

“We learned from the past that we must deploy players in different positions, and they have to be able to perform various functions if we want to compete at this level. And the case of Mikel is probably the prime illustration.”

Arteta's Support for Suffering Havertz

Addressing the delay noted by Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, Arteta offered more insight. “He was doing everything. He could not go to the next level and now it’s looking like we have solved that issue.”

He shared his personal desire to have him back. “We’re all desperate to have him. Truly, it’s a player that, in my view, I admire greatly for the qualities he offers to the team, but his mentality, his personality. I watch him struggle on the sidelines.”

“His fitness history is outstanding, he’s been always available, and I am eagerly awaiting to have him back around the team playing because I think it’s going to be a significant uplift.”