Kai Havertz is set to return to Arsenal for a medical evaluation after picking up a knock during Germany's Nations League encounter with the Netherlands. The German forward was forced off in the first half of Thursday's 1-1 draw in Amsterdam after a challenge from Quinten Timber, with Younes Ebnoutalib coming on to replace him. Initial reports suggest the problem is a relatively minor muscle strain, but the decision was made for Havertz to leave the German camp and receive treatment under Arsenal's medical staff.
Consequently, he will miss the remaining fixtures of the international window while the club conducts its own assessment. "Both are currently undergoing an MRI," Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann confirmed, referring to Havertz and Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, who also suffered a suspected thigh issue on the same night. "We hope to have a diagnosis by Thursday evening. It's not ideal, but we are hoping it's nothing serious.
The lads are probably out for us, but we aim to have them back as quickly as possible." Havertz has been a regular starter for Arsenal this season, featuring in six of the club's eight matches across all competitions and netting three goals. Although the injury appears to be low‑grade, it adds to a string of setbacks that have plagued the 27‑year‑old since his arrival at the Emirates. Last season, he managed only seven Premier League starts because of recurring knee and muscle problems, and he missed the final three months of the 2024/25 campaign after suffering a hamstring tear.
Arsenal now face a potential shortage in their attacking options. If Havertz is sidelined for an extended period, Viktor Gyökeres could become the club's primary striker, with Mikel Merino also available to fill the role.
The Gunners are scheduled to host Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday, 10 October, and will need to decide how to adapt their forward line in Havertz's absence. In Germany's next match, Nagelsmann will replace Havertz and Musiala with Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, hoping the younger players can step up. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright offered a measured perspective on the situation. He noted that Arsenal are hopeful the injury is not serious and that the early timing within the international break provides more than two weeks for recovery before the Leeds fixture.
However, he stressed that the timing is far from ideal, especially after Arsenal's attempts over the summer to bolster their attack. Havertz's injury history, highlighted by the lengthy hamstring lay‑off in 2025, remains a cause for concern. Gyökeres, who was Arsenal's leading scorer last season with 21 goals in all competitions, has struggled to make an impact early in the new campaign, logging just 29 Premier League minutes and recording only one shot in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich.
His reduced role mirrors Arsenal's broader search for a reliable front‑line solution, with the club having been linked with high‑profile targets such as Julian Álvarez and Vinícius Júnior. Former player and Sky Sports commentator Jay Bothroyd compared Gyökeres' style to Havertz's, pointing out that the Swedish forward prefers making runs behind the defence and operating on the shoulder of the backline, whereas Havertz often drops deeper to link play and hold up the ball. Bothroyd suggested that Arsenal may need to adjust their tactical approach to accommodate Gyökeres' strengths, emphasizing quick transitions and exploiting his pace and physicality. Bothroyd also highlighted Mikel Merino as a possible alternative, noting that Merino shares several of Havertz's attributes, including technical proficiency, vision, and the ability to retain possession under pressure.
"If Gyökeres doesn't deliver the expected output early on, Arteta will likely turn to Merino," he said, adding that Merino has already shown a knack for scoring important goals. In summary, while Arsenal are optimistic that Havertz will avoid a serious setback, the club must prepare for the contingency of his continued absence. The coaching staff will need to balance the immediate need for goals with the longer‑term development of alternative attacking options, ensuring that the team remains competitive in the Premier League and European competitions. Fans can stay updated on Havertz's condition through Arsenal's official channels, and the club will provide further information once the MRI results are available.