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 Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber, with Younes Ebnoutalib coming on to replace him.
Initial reports suggest the injury is a minor muscle strain, but the decision was made for Havertz to leave the German camp and receive treatment under Arsenal's medical staff. As a result, he will miss the remainder of the international window, which includes Germany's upcoming fixtures.
"Both are currently undergoing an MRI," confirmed Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, who also noted that Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala suffered a suspected thigh issue on the same night. "I hope we get the diagnosis by 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 contributing three goals.
While the current setback appears to be relatively minor, it adds to a growing list of fitness concerns that have plagued the 27‑year‑old since his arrival at the Emirates. Last season, Havertz managed only seven Premier League starts because of recurring knee and muscle problems. The following campaign was interrupted once more when a hamstring tear forced him out for the final three months of the 2024/25 season.
Those recurring issues have raised questions about his long‑term durability and the club's ability to rely on him as a consistent attacking option. Arsenal's depth in the forward line is now under scrutiny. If Havertz is unavailable for an extended period, Viktor Gyökeres could become the team's primary striker, although Mikel Merino has also been deployed in a more advanced role.
The Gunners are scheduled to host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 10 October, and will need to decide how to adapt their tactics without their German international. In Germany's next match, Klopp (note: the original text mistakenly names Klopp; the current manager is Nagelsmann) will replace both Havertz and Musiala with Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, hoping the younger players can fill the creative void. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright offered a measured perspective on the situation: Arsenal are cautiously optimistic that Havertz has avoided a serious injury. The early timing of the knock gives the club more than two weeks to recover before the Leeds game, which could be enough for a full return if the strain is indeed mild.
However, the injury's timing is far from ideal. It comes on the heels of Arsenal's ambitious summer transfer window, during which the club attempted to secure an additional high‑profile striker to bolster their attack. Havertz's injury history, highlighted by the lengthy hamstring lay‑off in 2025, adds another layer of concern for Arteta and his staff.
Gyökeres, who stepped in for Havertz last season and tallied 21 goals in all competitions, has struggled to find his rhythm in the new campaign. He has logged only 29 Premier League minutes so far and has managed a single shot in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich.
This limited impact underscores the pressure on Arsenal to find a reliable goal‑scoring outlet. The club's pursuit of Julian Alvarez and Vinícius Júnior has been well documented, and the inability to secure either player has left Gyökeres in a precarious position.
He must seize any opportunity to demonstrate his value to Mikel Arteta's plans. Former player and Sky Sports commentator Jay Bothroyd compared the playing styles of Gyökeres and Havertz, noting that Gyökeres prefers to make runs behind the defense and operate on the shoulder of the backline, whereas Havertz excels at linking play and holding up the ball. "Arsenal will need to adjust their approach," Bothroyd said, "because Gyökeres brings speed and physicality, but he must improve his ball retention to match the platform Havertz provides." Bothroyd also highlighted Merino as a potential alternative, praising his technical ability, vision, and passing range—qualities that mirror Havertz's contributions when he is on the pitch.
"If Gyökeres doesn't deliver the expected output early on, Arteta may look to Merino more frequently," he added. In summary, Havertz's return to Arsenal for assessment marks another chapter in a season already riddled with injury concerns for the German forward. While the medical scans are pending, the club must prepare contingency plans, whether that means leaning on Gyökeres, rotating Merino into a more advanced role, or perhaps revisiting the transfer market for additional firepower. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how Arsenal navigates this period of uncertainty and whether they can maintain their attacking momentum heading into the crucial fixtures against Leeds and beyond.
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