MIKEL ARTETA confirmed several Arsenal stars missed the win over Brentford because of a sickness bug.
The Gunners lined up with Declan Rice on the bench while Kai Havertz missed out altogether.
Captain Martin Odegaard was also rumoured to be struggling with illness but he was fit enough to start.
Arteta was asked about the supposed bug ahead of kick-off and he confirmed the rumours were true.
The Arsenal boss said: “Kai [Havertz] wasn’t feeling good, a few players were like this.”
Hours before the match Havertz’s wife Sophia shared some photos of herself and the German on social media to see in the new year.
She wrote in the caption: “Starting the new year with you again and again and again.”
Havertz’s absence was a big blow for Arsenal who were already without Bukayo Saka.
The England star tore his hamstring in the win over Crystal Palace and could be out until March.
Youngster Ethan Nwaneri started in attack at the same ground where he made history as a 15-year-old more than two years ago, when he became the youngest player to play in the Prem.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Arteta also confirmed Rice is suffering with a niggle – the England midfielder was named on the bench after being taken off in the 1-0 win over Ipswich.
Gabriel Jesus deputised for the missing Havertz and made the most of his chance as he headed in an equaliser after Thomas Partey‘s shot was saved.
The Brazilian failed to score for ten months before netting a hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last month.
He followed that up by scoring against the Eagles again before finding the back of the net at the G-tech Community Stadium.
The Gunners then went on to win the match after making a fast start to the second half.
Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli both found the net within eight minutes of the restart.
The victory took Arsenal second, six points behind league leaders Liverpool.
