The news of Kai Havertz’s potentially season-ending injury has caused a significant change in the attitude among Arsenal supporters, with discontent building.

Arsenal made the perplexing decision to not add players to their roster during the January transfer window, even though they loaned out Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira and sold important players like Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe. The club’s decision to ignore their urgent needs during the winter transfer window, which is coming under more and more scrutiny, is further highlighted by the lone loan signing of striker Raheem Sterling.

The club has commended interim sporting director Jason Ayto for his cautious approach, which has prompted concerns, according to a source. However, Mikel Arteta has made it apparent that he needed reinforcements up front by being outspoken about the squad’s lack of attacking alternatives.

Higher authorities had a responsibility to make sure Arteta got the resources and assistance he had openly asked for. Arsenal did little but watch as other teams landed loan agreements for forwards like Andre Silva, Alvaro Morata, and Randal Kolo Muani, unable to imitate or take advantage of comparable situations.

Nevertheless, Arteta is the target of criticism. There will always be those in the fan base who have been against his term from the start and are ready to use every slip-up as an excuse to express their disapproval.

Reactions to Havertz’s injury were quick to come in since the news was still new, and they frequently lacked nuance. Apart from renting an aircraft to hang a banner over Emirates Stadium that stated, “We are short,” one wonders what else Arteta could have done to highlight the need of getting a forward. A forward must be signed by us!

Those in charge of giving the manager the resources they need to succeed have the ultimate accountability. Arteta’s frequent player changes have drawn criticism, and his choice to keep important starters on the field for long stretches of time has come under scrutiny.

The truth is that the greatest players are expected to play, even though there is a case to be made for better player fatigue management. Despite seeing a good amount of rotation this season, Martinelli nonetheless suffered a hamstring issue.

A mix of really poor luck and a harsh calendar of games that seems unsustainable for teams in their position are to blame for Arsenal’s injury crisis. But at such a crucial point in the season, it is still hard to remember a team that has lost both of its center-forwards, its star player, and its starting winger to injuries of this magnitude.