Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sounded the alarm over player workload, saying his team’s injury crisis is “a consequence” of increasing demands on footballers. Arteta said he was training his squad “less than ever” in a bid to balance a schedule that can require European football’s top stars to play 60-70 games a season.

Since then, Arsenal had gone on their mid-season break to recharge, but they were hit by news that forward Kai Havertz has suffered a season-ending hamstring injury – adding to their woes after the club failed to sign an attacking option in the January transfer window.

Gunners boss takes aim at increasingly busy schedule after ‘accident waiting to happen’ leaves him desperately short up front