Kai Havertz has been sidelined with an illness that ruled him out of Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Brentford for Arsenal.
Reports that a sickness bug has been going around the Gunners squad emerged earlier in the day and was confirmed by Mikel Arteta ahead of kickoff.
Gabriel Jesus started up front as the German forward was left out of the matchday squad to face the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Declan Rice was named on the bench after picking up a niggle during Arsenal‘s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at home last Friday. He was replaced by Thomas Partey late on in the game.
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Havertz absence explained as Arsenal man misses Brentford
“Kai wasn’t feeling good and a few players were like this, that’s normal,” Arteta told TNT Sports.
“And Declan as well, he had to come off the other day. It’s the second time he’s had a niggle.
“We have nine games this month and we have to be really careful because of the size of the squad we have.”
Leandro Trossard was also dropped to the bench against Brentford, while Bukayo Saya, Raheem Sterling, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White all remain out through injury.
Ethan Nwaneri was handed his first Premier League start in place of the injured Saka.
“He has to compete at this level and then he has to play. He has played already for us and today is another great opportunity for him,” said Arteta.
On Brentford, the Basque native said: “It is a team who have been together for a long time. It is always really tough.”
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