Arsenal

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Leicester (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ben White is available but they will be "managing his load" as he returns.

• He said Bukayo Saka remains "in the early stage of his rehab" but has not faced a setback to date.

• On Kai Havertz, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury: "We were having a great camp in Dubai - recharging, training, connecting with nature and a different environment. Then the injury happened in an unexpected way. It's a big blow because of injuries we have."

• He said Havertz being ruled out is "another challenge" for him, but that is something he loves about working in football.

• On whether the club will consider signing a free agent: "I explore every possible situation and make a decision from there."

• In response to why there have been so many injuries this season across all clubs: "With the loads and minutes, it's inevitable. It's an accident waiting to happen. This season it's the accumulation of that; the stress. Certainly the schedule is demanding, and for explosive players it becomes an issue."

• More from Arteta on what they can do as a club in training to counteract the gruelling schedule: "We train less than ever. We have less time for training. The problem is that the muscles are then over-trained, so the muscles and tendons are not prepared to absorb the stress and don't have time to recover either."

• He said they "will have to" change their tactical approach because of the number of injuries to their frontline, but he is confident he has players who can still "give headaches to the opposition".

• On whether Ethan Nwaneri play as a striker: "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."

• He said Leicester "make life very difficult" and added: "I know Ruud [van Nistelrooy] well and the way he sets up his teams."

• On Liverpool dropping points at Everton: "When the gap becomes a little bit shorter, it is always really positive. The next few weeks are going to be critical as well."

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Despite a spate of injuries, Arsenal are unlikely to bolster their striking options by signing a free agent because of the calibre of players available. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko are among the players Arsenal are planning to move for in the summer transfer window. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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We asked for your views after Kai Havertz's season-ending injury was confirmed.

Here are some of your comments:

Conor: Was always going to be a big risk going into a title race with Havertz and Jesus as your striking options. Unfortunate with the injuries but they should have done more in the summer.

Michael: Its a real blow because Kai is not just a striker - he intimidates defenders and puts a real shift in. Mikel Arteta will no doubt switch tactics so that we will play to our current strengths.

Simon: Yes, we've missed an opportunity in January and yes it's gonna be a tough run in but we have a couple of options. Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard have worked well in the past as a front two and we know Trossard is a better, more instinctive finisher than Havertz so getting him closer to goal could work well, as we saw at times last season.

David: This finishes Arsenal's season. The die was cast in the summer when rather than adding depth to the squad, it was weakened. They had another chance in January and did not take it. We will encounter more and more injuries as players are overplayed. I will be surprised if we finish in the top four.

Webmeister: Time for Arteta to once again place his trust on youthful exuberance. He should give Andre Harriman-Annous and Nathan Butler-Odeyeji a run in the first team. He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain at this point and it honestly can't get any worse that it already is.

Geoff: We need to forget the failed January transfer opportunities, - it's gone. We need to look for a forward from within the club. We have tried a few before when we had a similar situation. If I remember correctly we tried Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Raheem Sterling. None of these three looked the part mainly due to their poor finishing qualities at that time. I heard two names mentioned and I hope the boss considers them; my favourite choice would be Declan Rice and the other possibility is Riccardo Calafiori. Although I wouldn't make either of them an out-and-out centre-forward but more of an advanced midfielder.

Ali: Sign Maxi Gomes and Diego Costa - they are both free agents and could come short term until the summer. Better than nothing! Unless we've got a couple of bag men sitting in the academy that I'm unaware of.

Ian: In order to protect Trossard, Sterling and Nwaneri from fatigue, injury etc Arsenal are going to have to look at playing a defender upfront at times. If he is match-fit, it might be worth looking at Calafiori - he appears to have the necessary attributes.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Kai Havertz has faced criticism over his finishing but one aspect of his game which cannot be faulted is his staying power.

The 25-year-old has never missed more than six games in a row since making his professional debut for Bayer Leverkusen in October 2016.

His longest period of absence came while at Chelsea when he contracted Covid and missed six consecutive matches, which included two games with the German national team.

Since his debut in 2016, Havertz has played 429 matches for his various clubs and country and averaged around 48 games per season, playing a career-high 65 matches last season.

Although Havertz will be disappointed to miss out on leading the line as Arsenal battle for the title, he must be ready for a rest, especially before the 2025-26 season, which ends with an expanded World Cup across North America.

With Kai Havertz's season-ending injury now confirmed, Arsenal's striker woes have just got a whole lot worse.

In a statement released on Thursday, the club said: "We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week.

"Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days. Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season."

So what now? January has been and gone and can't be changed, so what options does Mikel Arteta have?

Who will score the goals Arsenal need to fight on two fronts?

Can they still put up a realistic challenge to win the Premier League and Champions League?

Let us know your thoughts

Arsenal are the most likely candidates to sign 22-year-old Athletic Bilbao and Spain forward Nico Williams. (Fichajes), external

The Gunners made an enquiry for Stoke City defender Jaden Dixon on transfer deadline day and are continuing to monitor the 17-year-old England youth player. (Football Insider), external

Arsenal decided against recalling 24-year-old midfielder Fabio Vieira from his loan spell at Porto after Bukayo Saka injured his thigh. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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Arsenal are unbeaten in their past 14 Premier League games (W9 D5), which is their longest run without losing in the competition since between December 2010 and April 2011 under Arsene Wenger (16 games).

Meanwhile, Leicester City have lost their past four Premier League home games without scoring. Only Sheffield Wednesday in 1919-20, Birmingham City in 1921-22 and Norwich City in 2019-20 have ever lost five in a row at home to nil in the same top-flight campaign.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal are assessing striker Kai Havertz after he suffered a muscle injury on the team's Dubai training camp.

It is not yet known how bad the injury is or whether the Germany forward will miss any games.

Manager Mikel Arteta will be asked about the extent of the injury at Friday's news conference.

The Gunners are already missing Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka with hamstring injuries, and striker Gabriel Jesus is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

Arteta spoke of his "disappointment" at not being able to sign attacking reinforcements in the January bid, with an offer for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins rejected.

Arsenal flew out for warm-weather training last Thursday after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup semi-final by Newcastle. They were not involved in this weekend's FA Cup fixtures following their third-round defeat by Manchester United.

Last season, after a similar break, Arsenal went on to win 16 of their next 18 games.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in 19-year-old Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who has a £55m release clause in his contract. (TBR Football), external

Arsenal and Aston Villa have expressed an interest in signing Olympiakos' 17-year-old forward Charalampos Kostoulas and 18-year-old midfielder Christos Mouzakitis. (Birmingham World), external

Real Madrid have joined Arsenal in the race to sign 26-year-old Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi. (TeamTalk), external

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has suffered a worrying injury scare on the club's training trip to Dubai. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Gabriel Martinelli is set to be out for around a month with the hamstring injury he picked up in the Carabao Cup semi-final defeat against Newcastle according to one source.

The winger is the latest attacking player to suffer an injury following the long-term hamstring issue for Bukayo Saka, the anterior cruciate ligament injury to Gabriel Jesus and the two month lay-off that captain Martin Odegaard faced earlier in the campaign.

Although the injury to Martinelli - who has scored seven goals and registered four assists across all competitions - will be a blow it has come at a time when Mikel Arteta can have a good look at his squad.

The Gunners have gone to Dubai on a winter break due to a 10-day gap between games as a result of them being knocked out of the FA Cup.

Arteta will be hoping that the break has the same impact as last season as the Gunners attempt to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League and try to go deep in the Champions League.

After going away last season, Arsenal lost just one of their last 18 Premier League games as they pushed the title race to the final day.

On this trip, the players' families have been welcome and there is downtime for the players to rest and build relationships with other members of the squad, alongside training.

Arteta will be hoping that the spirit and work done on the training pitch in Dubai will be just what his players need as they look to try to get over the line and win some silverware for the first time since 2020.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As Gabriel Martinelli lay clutching his hamstring at St James' Park during Wednesday's defeat in the Carabao Cup, two thoughts crossed my mind. One: this is a disaster. And two: I told you so.

I warned last week it was only a matter of time before we lost another of our forward players, leaving us with only the bare bones of an attacking unit. Less than a week later, here we are (although I confess I did not think it would come quite that soon).

Going into a break off the back of a loss is never welcomed, and discussion has turned to what this injury says about Mikel Arteta's squad-building ability. One of the marks of a great manager is how they curate a group of players, not just a starting XI.

Last season, it is fair to say that we were lucky with injuries, with key players staying fit for the vast majority of games.

But that was an exception. This campaign is the rule - our best players will get injured. If Arteta has learned one thing from this, it is that we need to be better at preparing for the worst. It can and will happen.

Fans are now placing a huge amount of hope on Arsenal's trip to Dubai. It represents an opportunity to rest and regroup - and of course for Ben White to top up his already impressive tan.

January was a brutal, bruising month for the Gunners, but with a slightly kinder run of fixtures coming up, fans can be hopeful that, on their return, Arsenal will remember they are actually quite good. Let's not forget this is a team that put five past the defending champions just over a week ago.

As well as the transformative nature of Dubai's balmy climate, fans might also feel buoyed by Liverpool's slip-up in the FA Cup. With all the obvious caveats that this was a largely inexperienced Reds side, it still shows that they can be beaten.

Arsenal must return from their training camp believing that, if the opportunity presents itself to close the gap on Liverpool, they must take it.

As we enter the final third of the season, time is running out.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Arsenal expect to sign Espanyol's 23-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer. (Football Insider), external

Fiorentina are considering offering Moise Kean a new contract containing an increased release clause following interest in the 24-year-old Italy striker from the Gunners and Tottenham. (Corriere dello Sport via Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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Arsenal and Tottenham are both considering making a move for 24-year-old Fiorentina and Italy striker Moise Kean. (Nicolo Schira), external

The Gunners are interested in signing Diogo Jota from Liverpool, and the Reds are willing to sell the 28-year-old for the right fee because of the number of games he has missed with injury. (Anfield Watch), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Earlier, we asked you to name the former Arsenal manager from a series of clues.

The answer was Unai Emery, who was in charge between 2018 and 2019.

Image source, Getty Images

The transfer deals are done (or maybe your team didn't do one!), so we can consider how the season will now play out with more information at hand.

Arsenal have had a disappointing season by their own account as they would have liked to have been sitting comfortably at the top.

They will be looking at the gap and thinking six points isn't that much to catch Liverpool, but Arsenal are still inconsistent. They are close and pushing, but I just don't see Arne Slot's side losing three games between now and the end of the season.

For that reason, I think Arsenal will finish second.

Mikel Arteta didn't bring anyone in during the January transfer window and we also saw them being knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, which admittedly was a big ask of them to turn it around at St James' Park but it was the manner of the defeat that is prompting further scrutiny.

Gabriel Martinelli is now injured, we don't know how seriously yet, but they don't have the squad depth to seriously compete at this stage.

It feels like they are in the same position that they have been for the last couple of years.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Name this former Arsenal manager from the following clues:

• I had not managed an English club before I joined the Gunners;

• I led Arsenal to a European final during my only full season in charge;

• I am currently the manager of another Premier League club.

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

Arsenal looked at four forward players in the January transfer window but opted not to bring one in because of a lack of quality options. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Joe Bradshaw
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

"Toothless." "Outplayed." "Stagnant."

The recriminations are loud after Arsenal's latest chance at silverware slipped away in dismal fashion at Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Despite improving Arsenal beyond recognition, Mikel Arteta has only one trophy (an FA Cup early in his tenure during Covid times) to show for his sterling work at Emirates Stadium and criticism is ramping up.

However, is there a shaft of light among the gloom at Emirates Stadium?

Last season, the Gunners were booted out of the FA Cup by Liverpool and flew to Dubai to lick their wounds and refresh with some warm-weather training.

When they came back, they went on a rampage.

Sixteen wins, one defeat and one draw in the Premier League was an incredible finish and, while they fell short of a relentless Manchester City, they took the title race to the wire.

Something equivalent will likely be required this time to have any hope of hauling in leaders Liverpool

And, after last night's disappointment, Arsenal wasted no time in heading for the Middle East once again, boarding a plane shortly after their semi-final.

Indeed, they are already there, soaking up the sunshine, reflecting on the season so far and, no doubt, beginning the "recharge" Mikel Arteta said was necessary.

Appetising fixtures at Leicester and West Ham on their return offer opportunity for encouragement before things get serious at Nottingham Forest and the return of the Champions League.

Yes, they still have to go to Old Trafford and Anfield while home games with Chelsea and a rematch with Newcastle are far from easy. Trips to all of the bottom three could also cause anxiety.

However, Arteta now has this space to get his players fired up and focused. If he succeeds, Arsenal's season is far from over.