Arsenal’s fitness woes continued on New Year’s Day as Kai Havertz missed their trip to Brentford due to illness.

Havertz was left out of the Arsenal squad entirely for the game at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Gabriel Jesus getting the nod to start upfront instead.

It is the first time since Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea in the summer of 2023 that he has missed a match for the Gunners due to injury or illness.

"Kai wasn't feeling good, a few players were like this. That's normal. Declan [Rice] as well he had to come off the other day, the second time he's had a niggle.

"We have nine games this month and we really have to be careful because of the size of the squad that we have."

Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries this season, with captain Martin Odegaard injuring his ankle playing for Norway in September.

Odegaard was out of action until November and since then the Gunners have been rocked by Bukayo Saka tearing his hamstring.

Saka suffered that injury on December 21 during Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The winger left the ground on crutches and he has since undergone surgery, with Arteta confirming he will be out for more than two months.