Kai Havertz is set to return to Arsenal for a medical evaluation after picking up a knock during Germany's Nations League match against the Netherlands. The German forward was forced off the pitch in the first half of Thursday's 1-1 draw in Amsterdam after a challenge from Dutch defender Quinten Timber, making way for substitute Younes Ebnoutalib. 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 team. As a result, he will miss the remaining fixtures in the international window.
"Both players are currently undergoing an MRI," confirmed Germany manager Jürgen Klopp, who also announced that Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala had been ruled out with a suspected thigh issue on the same night. "We hope to have a diagnosis by Thursday evening. It's not ideal, and I hope it's nothing serious.
The lads are probably out for us, but we are aiming for a relatively quick return." Havertz has featured in six of Arsenal's eight matches across all competitions this season, contributing three goals. While the current setback appears minor, it adds to a growing list of fitness concerns for the 27‑year‑old.
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 will now have to cope without their versatile attacker as they prepare for their next Premier League fixture at home to Leeds United on Saturday, October 10.
If Havertz remains sidelined, Viktor Gyökeres would become the club's primary striking option, although midfielder Mikel Merino has also been deployed in an advanced role. Klopp's squad for Germany's upcoming match will see Havertz and Musiala replaced by Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, indicating the depth of talent available to the national side. **Analysis – Sky Sports (Nick Wright)** Arsenal are cautiously optimistic that Havertz has avoided a serious injury.
The early timing of the incident within the international window gives the player more than two weeks to recover before the Leeds game, offering a reasonable window for rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the injury comes at an inconvenient moment, following Arsenal's unsuccessful attempts to secure an additional forward during the summer transfer window.
Havertz's injury history, highlighted by a prolonged hamstring lay‑off in 2025, fuels concerns about his long‑term availability. Last season, Gyökeres stepped in for Havertz and finished with 21 goals in all competitions. This season, however, his start has been sluggish; he has logged only 29 Premier League minutes and recorded a single shot across two starts against Napoli and Ipswich. The Swedish striker's peripheral role early in the campaign reflects Arsenal's well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile forwards such as Julián Álvarez and Vinícius Júnior.
Gyökeres now faces the task of proving his worth to manager Mikel Arteta. **Analysis – Sky Sports News (Jay Bothroyd)** Bothroyd points out that Gyökeres possesses a markedly different playing style from Havertz. Gyökeres prefers making runs behind the defense, operating on the shoulder of the backline, and exploiting the channels between centre‑backs and full‑backs. Consequently, Arsenal may need to adjust their tactical approach, emphasizing quicker transitions and early service to capitalize on Gyökeres's pace and physicality.
However, Bothroyd notes that Gyökeres must improve his hold‑up play, a key attribute of Havertz's game. Havertz often acts as a linking platform for the front three, facilitating fluid combination play. To fill that void, Bothroyd suggests Arteta could look to Merino, who shares many of Havertz's technical strengths—ball retention, vision, and passing accuracy. Merino has also demonstrated an eye for goal in the box, making him a viable alternative if Gyökeres does not meet expectations promptly.
In summary, Havertz's return to Arsenal for assessment marks a critical juncture for both the player and the club. While the injury appears minor, its timing underscores the challenges Arsenal face in maintaining attacking depth amid ongoing transfer ambitions.
The club now must decide whether to rely on Gyökeres's directness, adapt tactics to his strengths, or turn to Merino as a more rounded replacement. The next few weeks will be decisive in shaping Arsenal's offensive options ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixtures.