Arsenal return to Premier League action against Leicester City this afternoon with Mikel Arteta’s attacking options ravaged by injury.
The Gunners return from their mid-season trip in Dubai with another major headache following news that Kai Havertz has picked up a hamstring injury that could rule him out of the rest of the season.
The club have confirmed the Germany international will undergo surgery this week with his rehabilitation likely to continue into pre-season this summer.
It will leave Arteta without his first-choice front three with Bukayo Saka and Garbriel Martinelli not expected to return from injury until mid-March.
Saka was with the group out in Dubai as he stepped up his recovery from a hamstring injury that required surgery in December.
Martinelli meanwhile was forced off in his side’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United. Havertz’s devastating injury completes a hat-trick of hamstring issues for the Arsenal front line.
Gabriel Jesus is also out for the rest of the campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
It leaves Arteta with the options of Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling in attack, with Ethan Nwaneri now likely to see out the season in a more advanced role.
One small positive for the Arsenal boss is Ben White is nearing his return to fitness.
The right-back has not featured since November after undergoing knee surgery but could be in contention to make his return against Leicester.
Predicted Arsenal XI to face Leicester
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling
Where to watch Leicester vs Arsenal? Kick-off time and TV channel
Leicester vs Arsenal kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday 15 February.
Live coverage is available on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Ultimate.
