‘Not again’ – Arteta reveals Havertz tore hamstring during set-piece routine and admits Arsenal could sign free agent
MIKEL ARTETA admits he could sign a free agent to alleviate Arsenal’s attacking woes.
The Spaniard failed to bring in a new frontman in the January transfer window, despite injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Arteta has just THREE fit forwards at his disposal following Kai Havertz‘s tearing his hamstring during the Gunners’ warm winter training camp in Dubai.
And he’s not ruled out the possibility of bringing in a free agent to bolster his attacking options.
The 42-year-old said: “I’ll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there.”
Germany international Havertz will miss the remainder of the season with his torn hamstring, which he suffered in “unexpected circumstances”.
Arteta revealed: “He was going to stop a shot after a set piece and stretch the leg and he felt his hamstring.”
When asked what his immediate reaction to the injury was, Arteta said: “Big pain in the tummy, that’s the first feeling.
“First of all when you see a player in pain, obviously it’s a really bad feeling.
“Then you feel like, ‘Not again.’ And then you realise you have no time to do that.”
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Despite his side’s current woes, Arteta is relishing the seemingly impossible challenge of overturning Liverpool‘s seven-point lead at the top of the table.
He said: “Fortunately, we have been through a lot this season.
“We have played without Gabriel Magalhaes, Saliba, [Ben] White all season, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu all season.
“[Riccardo] Calafiori missed two months, [MIkel] Merino two months, Saka three months, Gabriel Jesus.
“All of them! That’s the challenge I have. I love it and I’m looking forward. Let’s see what the team is made of.”
The Gunners return to action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City.