Topics: Arsenal, Kai Havertz, Mikel Arteta, Raheem Sterling, Liverpool, Champions League
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted that he could make a huge call when deciding who will replace injured forward Kai Havertz.
Havertz, 25, is the Gunners’ top scorer with 15 goals in 34 appearances this season but is unlikely to feature again this term after he sustained a serious hamstring injury while taking part in a warm-weather training camp.
On Friday, the club confirmed that he will require surgery in a statement posted on their official website.
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“We were having a great camp in Dubai recharging, training, having some time off and connecting again with nature in a different environment, and then the injury happened in a very unexpected way,” Arteta said.
“He was going to stop a shot after a set-piece, then he stretched the leg and felt his hamstring.”
And one of the first questions asked by fans was, ‘Who will replace him?’
Well, during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Leicester City on Saturday, Arteta, 42, selected Raheem Sterling from the start.
However, he failed to make a positive impact on proceedings and was replaced by Mikel Merino on 69 minutes.
And Arteta’s substitution proved decisive, with the Spaniard scoring twice to hand the away side a crucial win - closing the gap to Liverpool to four points ahead of the league leaders’ match against Wolves on Sunday.
But before the game, Arteta revealed that he was considering another option to lead the line.
Former Gunners defender Martin Keown, who was part of TNT Sports’ broadcast team, admitted that he had been “looking at [Riccardo] Calafiori” as a potential option in forward areas.
He then asked if it was something Arteta had given thought to.
“It’s been done in the past, you know,” Arteta said while speaking to TNT Sports.
“They have this capacity to become a threat, especially in the context of the game is with a lot of density in the box… against low blocks, it is an option that we have.”
Of course, usually Calafiori, 22, plays as a left-back/centre-back but has shown glimpses of his offensive ability this season.
The Italy international scored a stunning long-range strike during Arsenal's 2-2 draw against Manchester City back in September and recently netted an impressive half-volley in the 1-0 win against Wolves on January 25.
