Kai Havertz has been recalled to Arsenal for a medical evaluation following an injury he suffered while representing Germany in the Nations League match against the Netherlands. The German side played out a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam, and during the first half Havertz was involved in a challenge with Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber. The contact caused him to limp and he was subsequently substituted for Younes Ebnoutalib. Medical reports suggest the problem is a relatively minor muscle strain, but the forward has left the German camp to receive treatment at Arsenal's facilities, meaning he will miss the remainder of the international window.
Germany's manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that both Havertz and Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala – who also picked up a suspected thigh issue in the same fixture – are undergoing magnetic resonance scans. "We expect to have the MRI results by Thursday evening," Klopp said. "It’s not the best news, but I hope it turns out to be nothing serious. The lads are likely out for us for a while, but we hope they can return to action quickly." Havertz has featured prominently for Arsenal this season, starting six of the club's eight matches across all competitions and finding the net three times.
Although the current injury is not believed to be severe, it adds to a growing list of setbacks that have hampered his progress since joining the Gunners. 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 remains unavailable, Viktor Gyökeres would become the only natural‑born striker in the squad, although midfielder Mikel Merino has also been deployed in a more advanced role this term. The Gunners are scheduled to host Leeds United on Saturday, 10 October, in their next Premier League fixture, giving the medical team roughly two weeks to assess Havertz's recovery timeline.
In Germany's upcoming game, Klopp has named Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt as Havertz's replacements, indicating the national side will have to adjust its attacking setup without the versatile forward. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright expressed optimism that the injury is not serious, noting the early timing within the international break provides a window for rehabilitation before Arsenal's next league match. However, Wright also highlighted the broader context: Arsenal spent the summer trying to bolster their frontline, and Havertz's injury history – especially the lengthy hamstring lay‑off in 2025 – raises concerns about the club's depth. Gyökeres, who stepped in for Havertz last season and scored 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 so far and has produced just one shot across two starts against Napoli and Ipswich. This limited impact follows Arsenal's well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile forwards such as Julián Álvarez and Vinícius Júnior, leaving Gyökeres eager to prove his worth to manager Mikel Arteta. Former player and Sky Sports commentator Jay Bothroyd offered a tactical perspective on the situation.
He pointed out that Gyökeres' playing style differs markedly from Havertz's. "Gyökeres prefers to make runs behind the defence, to get on the shoulder and exploit the channels between centre‑backs and full‑backs," Bothroyd explained.
"That means Arsenal may need to adapt their build‑up play, looking for quicker half‑turns to release his pace and strength." Bothroyd also stressed the importance of ball‑holding ability, a trait Havertz excels at. "Havertz provides a platform for link‑up play with the front three. Gyökeres will need to improve his ability to retain possession under pressure if he wants to fill that role effectively," he said.
Bothroyd suggested that Arteta might also consider Mikel Merino as an alternative, noting Merino's technical skill, vision, and passing range mirror many of Havertz's attributes. "Merino can hold the ball, see the game well, and has already scored some crucial goals.
If Gyökeres doesn't deliver early, Merino could be thrust into the starting XI," Bothroyd added. In summary, Havertz's return to Arsenal for assessment marks another chapter in a season plagued by injuries for the German international. While the immediate prognosis appears hopeful, the club must navigate a period of uncertainty in attack, balancing Gyökeres' physical strengths with the creative and possession‑based qualities that Havertz normally offers.
The next two weeks will be crucial for both player and club as they aim to restore full fitness ahead of the Leeds showdown and maintain momentum in a campaign that has already seen significant transfer activity and tactical adjustments.