Kai Havertz will travel back to Arsenal for a medical evaluation after sustaining an injury during Germany's Nations League encounter with the Netherlands. The German side were locked in a 1-1 stalemate in Amsterdam on Thursday when Havertz was forced off the pitch following a challenge from Quinten Timber in the first half. He was replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib. Initial reports suggest the problem is a relatively minor muscle strain, but the decision has been made for the forward to leave the German camp and receive treatment under Arsenal's medical staff.
Consequently, he will miss the remainder of the international window, including Germany's upcoming fixtures. "Both are currently undergoing an MRI," confirmed Germany manager Jürgen Klopp, who also disclosed that Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala had been withdrawn after a suspected thigh issue on the same night.
"I hope we get the diagnosis Thursday evening. It's not ideal, but I hope it's nothing serious. The lads are probably out for us, but hopefully they'll be back in action relatively quickly." Havertz has been a regular starter for Arsenal this season, featuring in six of the club's eight matches across all competitions and finding the net three times. While the current injury does not appear to be severe, it adds to a growing list of setbacks that have hampered his progress since joining the London side.
The 27‑year‑old endured a difficult campaign last season, limited to just seven Premier League starts because of recurring knee and muscle problems. More recently, a hamstring tear forced him out for the final three months of the 2024/25 season. This latest strain, though minor, raises concerns about his long‑term fitness and the impact on Arsenal's attacking options. Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta will now have to reshuffle his forward line for the upcoming Premier League match against Leeds United on Saturday, October 10.
With Havertz unavailable, the Gunners' only pure striker left is Viktor Gyökeres, although midfielder Mikel Merino has also been deployed in a more advanced role in recent games. In Germany's squad, both Havertz and Musiala will be replaced by Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt for the next international fixture, according to Klopp.
Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright offered a measured perspective on the situation: "Arsenal are optimistic that Havertz has avoided a serious injury. The fact that the problem occurred early in the international window gives them more than two weeks to recover before the Leeds game. However, the timing is uncomfortable after a summer in which Arsenal failed to secure an additional proven goal‑scorer.
Havertz's injury history, especially the lengthy hamstring lay‑off in 2025, adds a layer of worry." Wright also highlighted Gyökeres' role, noting that the Swedish striker had been Arsenal's primary goal‑getter last season with 21 goals in all competitions. This season, however, his contributions have been limited – only 29 Premier League minutes and a single shot in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich. "Gyökeres' peripheral status in the opening weeks reflects Arsenal's well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile forwards like Julian Alvarez and Vinícius Júnior.
He must seize any opportunity to prove his worth to Arteta," Wright added. Former player and Sky Sports News pundit Jay Bothroyd compared the playing styles of Gyökeres and Havertz, explaining that Gyökeres prefers making runs behind the defence, operating on the shoulder and exploiting the channels between centre‑backs and full‑backs. "Arsenal will need to adapt their build‑up play to accommodate his speed and strength, but he must improve his hold‑up play. Havertz offers a platform for link‑up with the front three, something Gyökeres needs to replicate," Bothroyd said.
Bothroyd also suggested that Arteta might look to Mikel Merino as an alternative. "Merino shares many of Havertz's attributes – technical ability, ball retention, vision, and passing range. He has already scored important goals, and if Gyökeres does not deliver quickly, Merino could be thrust into the starting eleven," he noted.
The broader context of Arsenal's attacking dilemmas cannot be ignored. The club entered the season with high expectations after spending heavily in the transfer market, yet injuries to key players like Havertz and the lingering uncertainty around new signings have left Artetta's tactical options constrained.
The upcoming fixture against Leeds will be a crucial test of the squad's depth and adaptability. If Havertz recovers swiftly, he could return to the lineup for the Leeds match, providing Artetta with a versatile forward capable of linking play, creating chances, and scoring.
Should his recovery take longer, the onus will fall on Gyökeres, Merino, and possibly other squad members such as Gabriel Jesus or new arrivals to fill the void. In the meantime, Arsenal fans will be monitoring the medical updates closely. The club's medical team, led by chief physiotherapist, will conduct a thorough MRI scan and design a rehabilitation program tailored to Havertz's specific strain. The goal is to ensure a full recovery without risking a recurrence, especially given the player's history of muscle injuries.
Overall, while the injury is a setback, the early timing within the international break offers Arsenal a window to manage the situation without immediate disruption to their league campaign. The next two weeks will be decisive in determining whether Havertz can rejoin training and be match‑fit for the crucial October fixtures ahead.