Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has revealed the reason he left Kai Havertz out of the Gunners’ matchday squad for the Premier League match against Brentford on New Year’s Day.

Arteta said that Havertz was excluded from the squad because he was feeling unwell.

Havertz, who has been a consistent player for the north London side, became the latest fitness concern ahead of the Gunners’ trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.

The Germany International was a surprise absentee in the matchday squad as fans wondered if he was not injured.

Mikel Arteta has now cleared the curiosity of fans.

Arteta said via Evening Standard, “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.”

EPL: Why I didn’t play Kai Havertz against Brentford – Arteta