KAI HAVERTZ’S wife posted an emotional New Year message to the Arsenal star hours before he was left out of the squad to face Brentford.

Several Gunners stars were absent from the starting line-up at the G-tech Community Stadium, including Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard.

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Rumours before kick-off claimed there was a sickness bug in camp, which Mikel Arteta later confirmed.

Havertz, 25, missed his first game since signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2023.

Arteta said of his absence: “Kai [Havertz] wasn’t feeling good, a few players were like this.”

Hours before kick-off Havertz’s wife Sophia shared a post of her and the striker on Instagram.

She celebrated the start of 2025 by sharing three pics from their wedding – with this new year being their first as a married couple.

The caption on the post read: “Starting the new year with you again and again and again.”

Havertz looked the part of the dashing groom as he was dressed in a smart white shirt and a black bowtie.

While Sophia dazzled in a long white dress as she embraced her footie husband on their special day.

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Havertz has returned to goalscoring form of late but they did not miss him in west London.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli helped the Gunners overturn a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1.