Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber won’t be involved during the Premier League derby against Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners returned to winning ways in the league with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United last weekend. The club moved three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table as a result, but the Cityzens still have a game in hand against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal now host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium before Man City take on Everton on the road on Monday. The Gunners have the opportunity to go six points clear in the standings and put the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side for their trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Ahead of Saturday’s derby, Arteta has revealed that Havertz and Timber are ruled out with injuries, but seemed optimistic that the former could be available for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid at home on Tuesday (1-1 after first leg).
He told reporters: “Yeah, Kai and Jurrien will be out. he’s been a huge miss – we’re talking about one of the most important attacking players we have, and he’s been out for seven or eight months.
“Unfortunately, he’s not been the only one with long-term injuries and players have been missed. The team has shown an incredible capacity to overcome these kinds of scenarios and still be very, very competitive.
“The focus right now has to be on availability and performance, and Kai is desperate to be on the pitch as quickly as possible. Hopefully for Atletico, he will be available, and he’s pushing every boundary to achieve that.”
Havertz had a good outing against Manchester City last month. He netted from a Gianluigi Donnarumma error and could have scored more on another day. The German squandered a couple of clear-cut chances that should have been converted.
He could not continue the momentum after an untimely injury against Newcastle last weekend. In his absence, Viktor Gyokeres is poised to lead the line against Fulham, and could have a big role to play upfront in the club’s title pursuit.
Gyokeres has been criticised in the past for his limited aerial ability and hold-up play, but there was a noticeable improvement against Atletico in midweek. The Swede won 100 percent of his aerial duels (4/4) aside from scoring from the penalty spot.
Aside from Havertz and Timber, Mikel Merino is another guaranteed absentee for the Gunners with a long-term foot injury, while Martin Odegaard is doubtful after a fresh discomfort in his knee. He was substituted before the mark at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com