Mikel Arteta warned that this Arsenal squad is his strongest since taking charge almost six years ago.
The Gunners have spent around £190million on six players — with their total set to reach £250m from the signing of Eberechi Eze.
The Crystal Palace star had his medical yesterday after Arsenal hijacked the transfer from rivals Tottenham on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old was in line to join Spurs after agreeing terms with the club, before Arsenal swooped in. That was just hours after Havertz missed an open training session because of a knee injury he picked up against Manchester United on Sunday.
The north London club face Leeds today. When asked whether this squad was his best since taking charge of the club in December 2019, Arteta said: ‘In terms of numbers and quality, yes for sure.’
Arteta was also adamant that the expected arrival of Eze was not a reaction to Havertz’s injury. He said: ‘I think it was very clear what I said that it (transfer business) wasn’t done.
‘Obviously we were very active trying to look at the possibilities that could come. We are not reacting to anything, we’ve been very prepared and understanding what we could do, and we have decided this is the moment to do it.’
On Havertz’s injury, he added: ‘Well, certainly he’s not fit for this match. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and we don’t really know yet the extent of it. I think we need a bit more time and some more tests and after that we’ll have more clarity about the next steps.
Mentally he’s in a good place. He’s a really strong boy, very committed.
‘As you said, he had an incredible recovery from the hamstring surgery. I think he never had an injury before, so it was a first experience really. Now he’s got a setback.
‘Let’s see how bad it is, but I’m sure he’s going to deal in the best possible way. As I said, he has the joy of a kid and hopefully we’re going to have him soon.’
