How could Arsenal line up vs Leicester? Mikel Arteta forced to pick trio as injury crisis deepens | OneFootball

Arsenal’s injury issues appear to have been compounded with Kai Havertz facing a scan on a muscular issue sustained at the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai.

Mikel Arteta took his squad away during a short period without a fixture in the hope of re-energising them for a Premier League title charge, but the manager appears to have been dealt another blow.

Any lay-off for Havertz would only add to significant existing problems for Arteta, particular at the top end of the pitch.

Gabriel Jesus is out for the season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, Bukayo Saka is not yet back from hamstring surgery and Gabriel Martinelli is also currently sidelined.

Were Havertz to be ruled out of action, it could leave Arteta without his first four forward options ahead of a vital period both domestically and in Europe.

While Arsenal attempted to add to their options in the January transfer window, the London club were unable to do so, with Aston Villa knocking back bids for striker Ollie Watkins.

Links with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha also failed to come to fruition.

The injury crisis would appear to leave Arteta with no option but to field a front three of Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and youngster Ethan Nwaneri against Leicester as they travel to King Power Stadium on Saturday.

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Ethan Nwaneri appears likely to be given a bigger role (EPA)

Nwaneri has impressed of late having been afforded greater opportunities since the injury to Saka.

An alternative option might be to push midfielder Mikel Merino further forward, with the summer signing from Real Sociedad possessing a stature and technical skill that Arteta favours.

In better news for the Arsenal boss, Ben White is nearing a return from the knee injury that has kept the versatile defender out since November. Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out, though.

Possible Arsenal XI to face Leicester (Saturday 15 February, 12.30pm GMT): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard.