Arsenal have been told they will be able to cope without Kai Havertz by Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson.
The Gunners were dealt a seismic blow earlier this week when it emerged that the Germany international had suffered a season-ending injury.
Havertz, who has scored 15 goals this term, tore his hamstring while attempting to block a shot during a set-piece drill while the club were in Dubai on a warm weather training camp.
It remains unclear as to whether the former Chelsea player will require surgery, but Arsenal released a statement on Thursday that confirmed the 25-year–old was unlikely to feature again until pre-season at the earliest.
Despite his importance to the team and Arsenal’s chronic lack of attacking cover, Lawrenson insists Arsenal still have the tools at their disposal to compensate for the absence of Havertz.
‘Leandro Trossard will probably play as the number nine for Arsenal,’ Lawrenson told Paddy Power.
‘Teams have played without a recognised striker before, and it can work for them, but Arsenal have some difficult games before the end of the season.
‘I think it’ll be difficult for Arsenal but it’s not the end of the world because even the very ordinary teams in the Premier League make chances and we know Arsenal score from set pieces.
‘Collectively, they have to give a little bit more if it’s possible. Would you say they’re going to miss Kai Havertz? Probably not.
‘He’s a decent footballer but he’s not a decent scorer. There’s no doubt that he can play, scoring just doesn’t come naturally to him.’
Despite his preferred forward line being unavailable, Arteta agrees with Lawrenson and remains confident Arsenal have enough of a goal threat to worry opposition starting with Leicester on Saturday.
‘It’s a question of when. He has the right qualities, to play out wide or centrally. We must adapt to the strengths of our players,’ Arteta said of the teenager.
‘We’re going to have to adapt and it brings another opportunity. We have unpredictable players in one-vs-ones, who are creative and sharp and it will cause headaches to the opposition.’
After league leaders Liverpool conceded a last-minute James Tarkowski equaliser in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, second-placed Arsenal sit seven-points off the summit.
Former Toffees midfielder Arteta believes the next block of fixtures will be decisive as to how the table shapes up come the end of the season.
‘When the gap becomes shorter when it’s not expected then it’s really positive and it can generate momentum,’ he said.
‘The next few weeks is critical, we need to see where we are after the international break in six or seven weeks.’
