Mikel Arteta reveals reason for Kai Havertz's absence from Arsenal squad for Brentford clash

Mikel Arteta has revealed the reason why Kai Havertz was left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad for the Premier League match against Brentford on New Year’s Day. The Spaniard manager said the German forward was excluded from the squad because he was feeling unwell.

Arsenal has been hit hard by injuries in the past couple of months. Some of their key players have sat out several games due to injuries. Before Havertz’s absence, Bukayo Saka was the most recent key player for the north London club to be sidelined for months because of an injury.

The England forward picked up an injury against Crystal Palace on December 21, and Arteta revealed that he could be out for more than two months.

Havertz, who has also been a consistent player for the Gunners, became the latest fitness concern ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium. The former Chelsea man was a surprise absentee in the matchday squad. His absence left fans wondering if he wasn’t injured.

Mikel Arteta has now cleared the curiosity of fans while also corroborating what Martin Keown said in the buildup to the match on TNT Sports about why Havertz was excluded from the matchday squad.

Arteta said (via Evening Standard):

"Kai wasn't feeling good, a few players were like this. That's normal. Declan [Rice] as well he had to come off the other day, the second time he's had a niggle. We have nine games this month and we really have to be careful because of the size of the squad that we have."

Kai Havertz has scored 12 goals and provided three assists in 25 appearances for the Gunners this term.

''I think so yes'' – Mikel Arteta on if Kai Havertz will be fit for Arsenal’s next game

Mikel Arteta is hoping that Kai Havertz will have returned to health and will be available for selection when his side takes on Brighton and Hove Albion in their next match on Saturday. Havertz sat out Arsenal’s trip to Brentford after he was rendered unfit by a bug.

Before the clash with Brentford, Havertz has featured in all of Arsenal’s league matches this season bar one. The German's absence didn’t prove costly for the Gunners as they secured a 3-1 victory. After the match, Arteta was asked whether he’s confident Havertz will be fit for Brighton, to which he responded saying:

''I think so yes, I think he will recover very quickly.''

Mikel Arteta's men are currently in the second position on the Premier League table and are six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand.