ARSENAL splashed out £1.2million on their mid-season trip to Dubai, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta thought lightning would strike twice after seeing his side receive huge benefits from a warm-weather training camp last season.
However, this time around the trip turned into a disaster as Kai Havertz was ruled out for the season after tearing his hamstring.
Even before the 25-year-old got injured the Gunners were crying out for more firepower, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus all sidelined.
Arsenal chiefs failed to add another forward to their frontline in the winter transfer window after offering £40m for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins late on.
Fans were not happy about the lack of a new arrival and were even more upset upon seeing the Havertz news due to it being another massive dent in their title hopes.
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The Mirror revealed the trip cost a total of £1.2m, with the Arsenal squad and a huge number of backroom staff travelling via a privately chartered plane.
The trip was designed to be a mix of rest and recuperation, with the report saying they had only one day off during the entire six-day trip.
It was debated whether a mid-season trip overseas or a full week of rest at home would be more beneficial.
Ultimately, everyone involved enjoyed it and saw it as a major benefit and a valuable bonding exercise.
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The cost of the trip is also mitigated by the club’s strong sponsorship links in Dubai, which would have offset some of the cost.
Arsenal’s attacking hopes were placed in the hands of midfielder Mikel Merino after he scored twice off the bench against Leicester to seal a 2-0 win.
However, the Gunners were hit by wet powder in the following home game against West Ham as they lost 1-0 to all but end their title hopes as they fell 11 points behind Liverpool.
They visit third-place Nottingham Forest tonight knowing they could fall 14 points behind the league leaders by the end of the night.
Arsenal will then face PSV away from home in the Champions League last-16.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
