Arsenal's Kai Havertz faces an extended absence due to a muscular injury, with the forward expected to miss the crucial north London derby scheduled for February 22. The setback comes as a blow to Mikel Arteta's squad, who are currently navigating a challenging run of fixtures in both Premier League and European competitions.

The injury means Havertz will be unavailable for one of Arsenal's most important matches of the season against their local rivals Tottenham. The Gunners have struggled with consistency this campaign, and losing their attacking forward could impact their top-four ambitions as the season approaches its critical phase.

Tottenham, meanwhile, is dealing with managerial uncertainty after sacking Thomas Frank. The club is considering several candidates, including Roberto De Zerbi and John Heitinga, as they seek a permanent solution to replace their former manager while also facing concerns about Wilson Odobert's potential ACL tear.