Arsenal have no immediate plans to sign a free agent in response to the hamstring injury that is likely to keep Kai Havertz out for the rest of the season.
The German forward sustained an injury during the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai and was due to face further tests on the club’s arrival back in England.
Reports on Wednesday claimed that Havertz, 25, has suffered a torn hamstring and could now miss the remainder of the current campaign.
Although Arsenal have not commented on the scale of Havertz’ injury, his possible long-term absence would provide a serious headache for manager Mikel Arteta after the Gunners did not bolster their attacking options during the recent transfer window.
Arsenal failed in their bid to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa last month.
Havertz had been due to lead Arsenal’s line for the remainder of the campaign, with Arteta even admitting it was possible the former Chelsea star could be forced to play every game.
Gabriel Jesus is out for the season after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury last month. Bukayo Saka has been absent since December but it is hoped the England international – who travelled with his team-mates to the Middle East – could return next month.
Gabriel Martinelli also faces a spell on the sidelines after he was forced off injured in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup second-leg semi-final defeat at Newcastle last week.
It leaves the Gunners with only Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri as the club’s recognised forward players ahead of Saturday’s game at Leicester.
While the Gunners missed their opportunity to strengthen last month, the option of recruiting a free agent remains open to them.
The likes of Diego Costa as well as former Arsenal forwards Carlos Vela and Lucas Perez are currently without clubs but, according to Fabrizio Romano, Arteta, at this stage, is unlikely to sign a player even as emergency cover.
Arsenal are, instead, far more likely to keep their powder dry until the summer and soldier on until the end of the season without a recognised centre forward.
It is hoped that Saka and Martinelli will return by the start of April at the latest to ease the current injury nightmare while significant investment in the club’s forward line is planned for when the market reopens.
Hopes of signing Alexander Isak may well be fading amid Barcelona’s interest, but the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Nico Williams are understood to be regarded as realistic targets.
Arteta, meanwhile, is likely to provide an update on Havertz – who has scored 15 goals across 34 appearances this season – in his pre-Leicester press conference on Friday.
The Gunners are seven points behind leaders Liverpool who drew their game in hand at Everton last night.
No comments:
Post a Comment