Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal hamstrung by injuries up front
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Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson will reportedly be out till April.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal may both be without their first-choice central striker for a prolonged stretch as the English Premier League approaches the final third of the season.
According to reports in the British media, the Blues’ Nicolas Jackson and the Gunners’ Kai Havertz have both suffered long-term hamstring injuries.
Ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Feb 14, manager Enzo Maresca said Jackson will be out for “six to eight weeks”, after he injured his hamstring during the 2-1 league win against West Ham United on Feb 3. The season ends in May.
The Senegalese striker has nine goals this season, all of which have come in the league. Only Cole Palmer, who has 14, has more Premier League goals for Chelsea.
Jackson had a strong start to the season, netting eight times and adding three assists in his first 13 league matches this term before tailing off.
But the Blues do not really have a regular first-team option to replace him, with 19-year-old Marc Guiu out for “weeks or months” after suffering a leg abductor injury in the same win over West Ham.
With no recognised No. 9, Maresca may turn to Christopher Nkunku, who has 13 goals from 31 games, but just two of them have come in the Premier League.
The Blues had been open to selling the Frenchman in the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich and Manchester United reportedly interested, but no deal materialised.
The Blues are fourth in the Premier League but could struggle to hold on to that spot with Manchester City, Newcastle United and Bournemouth closing in on them.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s bid to win the Premier League could suffer a major setback following reports that Havertz is set to be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The German forward was injured during the club’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai and was due to face further tests on their arrival back in England.
The Athletic reported on Feb 12 that the 25-year-old had suffered a torn hamstring and could now miss the rest of the campaign.
Arsenal, however, have yet to comment on the extent of his injury.
His potential long-term absence though would compound the problems confronting Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, after Arsenal were unable to bolster their attack during the January window.
The London club failed in an attempt to sign Ollie Watkins from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
Havertz was set to lead Arsenal’s line for the rest of the season, with Arteta even saying it was possible the Germany international would have to play every game.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz is set to be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Fellow forward Gabriel Jesus is already out for the season after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in January, while winger Bukayo Saka has been absent since December, although there are hopes the England international could return in March.
Winger Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile, is also sidelined after he was forced off injured during Arsenal’s League Cup semi-final, second-leg loss at Newcastle last week.
All these absences leave the Gunners with only three recognised forwards in Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri, none of whom are No. 9s.
Arteta may well speak about Havertz – who has scored 15 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions this season – on Feb 14 when he holds a pre-match press conference to preview the Gunners’ league game away to Leicester City.
Arsenal are second in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Liverpool, as they attempt to become champions of England for the first time in 21 years. AFP
