Kai Havertz has become the latest Arsenal player heading for the treatment table [Alexander Canillas/SPP]

ARSENAL are facing a striker shortage after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

The 25-year-old tore the muscle during the Gunners’ warm-weather training camp in Dubai, which was ironically aimed at helping the players recharge.

The club confirmed yesterday (Thursday) that Havertz will now undergo surgery in the next few days before beginning his recovery.

A club statement added: “After surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season.”

It leaves the Gunners without a recognised centre-forward, although there are plenty of supporters who would argue that Havertz was already playing out of position owing to the fact that Arsenal have continually failed to bolster their attacking options.

Havertz is the north Londoners’ leading goalscorer this term, having scored 15 goals in all competitions.

His absence is yet another blow for Mikel Arteta, who was already struggling for numbers in the final third of the pitch. Bukayo Saka isn’t expected back for at least another month after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, while Gabriel Jesus won’t play again this season after damaging his ACL.

The plane tickets for the Middle East getaway were already booked by the time Arteta found out that Gabriel Martinelli would also be sidelined for more than a month after the Brazilian also injured a hamstring.

Before Havertz and Martinelli even joined the injury list, Arteta had stressed the importance of finding solutions and being flexible in the face of adversity.

The Arsenal boss backed Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard, and Ethan Nwaneri to help lead the line during the remainder of the season.

Assessing the situation earlier this month, the Spaniard said: “We’re going to have to be very flexible in the frontline and now the ones that we have on their feet, make sure they stay fit and keep contributing.

“Leo can play in that position, Raheem has played in that position, and Ethan I think can play in that position, so let’s see in relation to how everybody is; the moment and opponent, but at some point, we’re going to have to try something different.”

Commenting on the club not adding any new players during the January transfer window, Arteta added: “We have to face the reality of what we have.

“We have the players that we have; some of them are on loan. We have never had a squad of 35, 40, or 45 players.

“So many other clubs have 45 players on their list; we don’t have that size at the moment. That’s our reality. We have had to do so much in the last few years; that’s where we are.

“We are going to have to evolve there as well and have more players from the academy and the ones that are here to be fitter longer. That is a job that’s permanent. It keeps evolving, and we need to be on our toes.”