Kai Havertz has been flown back to Arsenal for a medical evaluation following a muscle injury he sustained while representing Germany in the Nations League match against the Netherlands. The German side drew 1-1 in Amsterdam, and during the first half Havertz was challenged by Dutch defender Quinten Timber, which caused him to limp and eventually be replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib.
Medical reports suggest the problem is a relatively minor muscle strain, but the decision was made for the forward to leave the German training camp and receive treatment under Arsenal's medical staff. As a result, he will miss the remaining fixtures of the current international window.
Germany manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that both Havertz and Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, who also suffered a suspected thigh issue, are undergoing magnetic resonance imaging scans. "We expect to have a diagnosis by Thursday evening," Klopp said. "It's not ideal, but I hope it's nothing serious.
The lads are probably out for us, but I am optimistic they will be back relatively quickly." The 27‑year‑old Havertz has featured in six of Arsenal's eight matches across all competitions this season, contributing three goals. Although the injury does not appear to be severe, it adds to a growing list of setbacks that have hampered his progress since joining the club.
Last season he managed only seven starts in the Premier League due to a combination of knee problems and muscle strains, and he missed the final three months of the 2024/25 campaign after tearing a hamstring. Arsenal now face a potential shortage of pure striking options if Havertz's recovery is delayed.
Viktor Gyökeres, who has been the club's primary centre‑forward, could become the sole dedicated attacker, although midfielder Mikel Merino has also been deployed in an advanced role. The Gunners are scheduled to host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 10 October, and will be hoping Havertz can return to training in time to be available for selection. In Germany's next match, Klopp will replace both Havertz and Musiala with younger talents Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, indicating the depth of the German squad and the need to keep the team competitive despite the injuries. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright noted that Arsenal are cautiously optimistic that Havertz has avoided a serious setback.
"The injury came early in the international break, which gives him more than two weeks to recover before the next league game," Wright explained. "However, the timing is uncomfortable after Arsenal's attempts this summer to secure another forward option. Havertz's injury history, especially the long hamstring lay‑off in 2025, raises concerns about his durability." Gyökeres, who stepped in for Havertz last season and netted 21 goals in all competitions, has struggled to find his rhythm at the start of the new campaign.
He has logged only 29 Premier League minutes and recorded a single shot across two starts against Napoli and Ipswich. This peripheral role comes amid Arsenal's well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile forwards such as Julian Álvarez and Vinícius Júnior. Gyökeres will need to seize any opportunity to prove his worth to manager Mikel Arteta.
Former professional Jay Bothroyd, appearing on Sky Sports News, contrasted Gyökeres' playing style with that of Havertz. "Gyökeres prefers to make runs behind the defence, operating on the shoulder and exploiting the channels between centre‑backs and full‑backs," he said. "Arsenal may have to adjust their tactics to accommodate his speed and physicality, but he must improve his hold‑up play. Havertz provides a platform for link‑up with the front three, something Gyökeres needs to emulate." Bothroyd added that Merino could be a viable alternative, highlighting his technical ability, vision, and ball retention skills, which mirror Havertz's strengths.
"If Gyökeres does not deliver quickly, Arteta may turn to Merino, who has already shown he can score important goals in the box," he suggested. Beyond the immediate concerns, Havertz's return could have broader implications for Arsenal's attacking dynamics.
His versatility allows him to drift wide, drop deep, or operate as a false nine, creating space for wingers and midfielders to exploit. Should he recover fully, Arteta could reintegrate him alongside Merino or Gyökeres, offering a multi‑pronged threat that could alleviate pressure on the defence and diversify goal‑scoring avenues. In summary, while the injury appears minor, its timing is inconvenient for both Arsenal and Germany.
The next two weeks will be crucial for Havertz's rehabilitation, and Arsenal will be monitoring his progress closely. If he returns to full fitness, he could play a pivotal role in the Gunners' upcoming fixtures and potentially restore confidence in a forward line that has struggled for consistency since the start of the season.