January 1st 2025.
On New Year's Day, the absence of Kai Havertz from the Arsenal squad came as a surprise to many fans. There were rumors circulating that a sickness bug had hit the team, and Mikel Arteta, the manager, has now responded to these speculations. He confirmed that Havertz was not included in the squad for the 3-1 win over Brentford due to illness.
It was unexpected for Havertz to miss the match, as he had previously played a key role in Arsenal's victory against Ipswich Town on December 27, scoring the only goal of the game. This was the first time since his arrival at Arsenal in 2023, from Chelsea, that he has missed a match due to illness or injury.
During his post-match press conference, Arteta elaborated on Havertz's condition, stating that the German was clearly unwell and displaying symptoms of illness. As a precaution, he was sent home in a car and advised to stay away from the team. When asked about the overall illness situation within the squad, Arteta confirmed that there were other players affected, both on and off the pitch. He attributed this to the busy schedule and the winter season, which often brings throat infections and viruses.
Despite the illness concerns, Arsenal managed to secure a 3-1 victory over Brentford, moving up to second place in the Premier League table. Arteta expressed his hope that the affected players would be fit for their upcoming match against Brighton on Saturday. However, he admitted that they were not in the best condition to play that day.
When asked about the protocol for illness in the team, Arteta stated that he leaves it in the hands of the doctor, as it is dependent on the specific symptoms displayed by the players. He also reassured fans that Havertz is expected to make a quick recovery and should be fit for the next match. When questioned about any other players having to isolate due to illness, Arteta responded that he was not aware of any other cases.
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