Arsenal face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on New Year's Day, but the Gunners will do so without the man that scored winners both home and away against the Bees last season. Kai Havertz was a shock omission from the squad given his importance in the wake of Bukayo Saka's long term injury.

Arsenal take on Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium this evening but are without Kai Havertz due to an illness, according to the Sun journalist Jordan Davies. The Germany international has been a

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Kai Havertz was sent back to London in a car right before Arsenal 's 3-1 win over Brentford after falling victim to a virus that has swept across the Gunners' squad. Arteta's side kicked off 2025 in ideal fashion, coming from one nil behind to claim the three points at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 and move to second in the table, but Mikel Arteta has revealed a bug ran through his squad prior to kick off.

They will train today and if everybody is fine, they should be available." This means Havertz has recovered from the sickness bug that had hit a few Arsenal players. Along with Havertz's recovery, Arteta also updated on Raheem Sterling 's condition.

Midfielder-cum-forward Havertz is a surprise absentee from The Gunners’ squad against Brentford, joining fellow attacker Bukaya Saka on the sidelines.

Mikel Arteta has responded to rumours of an Arsenal sickness bug after Kai Havertz was left out of the squad who beat Brentford on Wednesday. Havertz was a surprise omission on New Year’s Day given he had started and scored in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Ipswich Town on December 27.

Arsenal news as Kai Havertz misses the New Year's Day trip to Brentford with his absence explained after unexpected selection