Mikel Arteta hints at new role for Kai Havertz as Arsenal's injury problems extend beyond Bukayo Saka
Kai Havertz could move to Arsenal's right wing after Bukayo Saka's injury.
Saka He injured his hamstring on Saturday during the gunners 5-1 victory at Crystal Palace and was substituted after 24 minutes of play.
talkSPORT understands the 23-year-old will be ruled out until February in what is a hard blow for Arsenal.
head coach Mikel Arteta He spoke to the media ahead of their trip to Ipswich Town on Friday and offered an update on their star winger.
“Things are not looking good. He will be out for many weeks.”
However, Arteta also said: “I am very optimistic that he will be back before the end of the season.”
Saka has started on the right wing in all but one of his 17 Premier League games this season, scoring five goals and assisting ten.
Raheem Sterling, on loan from Chelsea, can also play there, but will also be on the sidelines due to injury.
Arteta will therefore have to make alternative right-wing selections in his next games, with Havertz a possible option for him.
“Gabi (Martinelli) has played there, Ethan (Nwaneri) has played there, Leo (Trossard) can play there in relation to how the unit moves.
“Kai can play there. We will talk to them and understand how they feel about it.”
Havertz is no stranger to playing on the right wing given his versatility in attacking positions.
3
The Germany international played that role during spells at Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea, although infrequently for the latter.
However, he has yet to play for Arsenal and is instead more used to playing as a striker or attacking midfielder.
Arsenal faced a series of injury problems this season before Saka and Sterling became the latest absentees from the north London side.
Ben White has been out since November with a knee injury and looks set to stay that way for a few more months.
Other defenders, including Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, have also struggled.
Asked if Arsenal could operate in the January transfer window to deal with their injuries, Arteta said: “Yes, the preparation is done and we are ready if something happens.
3
“Obviously we didn't predict a situation with Bukayo and Raheem. At the same time we predicted if something would happen, for example on the defensive line.
“But the work is done and then, okay, if something has to happen, we will be open. But the main focus now is how to unleash the potential that is in this team.”
