Ornstein reveals significant injury blow for key star; Arteta told to snub fit-again Gunners man

Respected journalist David Ornstein has revealed another blow for Arsenal, who will be without Kai Havertz for several key matches.

Arsenal spent around £250m on signings during last summer’s transfer window, with the move ensuring they are better equipped to deal with injuries.

Injuries to key players hit Mikel Artetaat different points this season, but they have been relatively unscathed by these problems as they sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand.

They also reached the Carabao Cup final, while they are in the Champions League round of 16 and remain in the FA Cup.

Arsenal are short of options in midfield without the injured Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri, currently on loan at Marseille. Now their situation has worsened, with Havertz suffering another injury after returning to action only last month.

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Athletics’Ornstein revealed Wednesday evening that Havertz had “suffered a muscle injury” that was “not considered serious.”

The report added: “The striker is now expected to miss the north London derby on February 22.

“Before Arsenal’s clash with rivals Tottenham Hotspur, they face Brentford on Thursday, Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday and Wolverhampton Wanderers next Wednesday, with Havertz expected to be sidelined throughout.

Arsenal hope to be without Odegaard for Thursday’s game against Brentford, although Nigel Winterburn has explained why he does not think the fit-again Martin Odegaard should start.

“We’ve seen Havertz come back and he’s doing really well,” Winterburn told the Metro via Zamsino NZ.

“How much playing time a manager wants to give him in a short period after almost a year out is a question.

“Odegaard could come back there, Eze could come back there. So it’s such a difficult question to answer who should start.

“Odegaard is the captain, but I still don’t think that will give him the right to come straight back into the team when he is fit, and I think he should have to wait his turn.”

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Winterburn also gave advice to Arsenal summer signing Eberechi Eze who needs to “adapt”.

“By the end of the season, I think Eze will get a lot of playing time. He’s a player I really like,” Winterburn added.

“He is now part of a huge club in terms of expectations, and he, Havertz and Odegaard are fighting to be in the same position.

“The only thing I would say is all the energy Odegaard has. Eze looks a little more relaxed with the way he plays.

“But when he gets that opportunity, when he comes in or if he starts, I’d just like to see him be a little bit more demanding on the ball in the creative areas and really show us what we know he can do.

“He has good close control, can pick out a pass, can score goals. Even though we don’t like to say it, sometimes when you recruit players you give them up to a year to fully settle in.

“We want everyone to step up and show us exactly what they have. But Mikel Arteta’s style is high intensity press.

“It’s a huge workload for the players, and Eze just has to adapt to this situation.”