Kai Havertz is set to return to Arsenal for a medical evaluation after picking up a knock while representing Germany in the Nations League match against the Netherlands. The German side were locked in a 1-1 stalemate in Amsterdam on Thursday when Havertz was forced off in the first half following a challenge from Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber.
He was replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib. Initial reports suggest the problem is a minor muscle strain, but the forward has been withdrawn from the German camp so that Arsenal’s medical team can take over his care, which means he will miss the remainder of the international window.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 MRI scans. "We expect to have a diagnosis by Thursday evening," Klopp said.
"It’s not ideal, and I hope it isn’t serious. The lads are probably out for us, but I’m hoping they’ll be back 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.
Although the current injury appears to be low‑grade, it adds to a growing list of setbacks that have hampered his progress. The 27‑year‑old endured a truncated Premier League campaign last season, managing only seven starts because of recurring knee and muscle problems. He then missed the final three months of the 2024/25 season 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, 10 October. If Havertz’s recovery takes longer than expected, the Gunners could be left with Viktor Gyökeres as their primary striking option, although midfielder Mikel Merino has also been deployed in advanced roles this term.
Klopp’s squad for Germany’s upcoming game will see Havertz and Musiala replaced by Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, indicating the German coach’s desire to keep the attacking midfield positions filled despite the injuries. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright expressed optimism that Havertz has avoided a serious setback. He noted that the injury occurred early in the international break, leaving more than two weeks for rehabilitation before Arsenal’s clash with Leeds.
Nevertheless, the timing is uncomfortable for Arteta’s side, which has struggled to secure a reliable goal‑scoring outlet after an ambitious summer transfer window. Havertz’s injury history, highlighted by the lengthy hamstring lay‑off in 2025, raises further concerns.
Gyökeres, who stepped in for Havertz last season and netted 21 goals in all competitions, has had a muted start to the new campaign. He has only logged 29 Premier League minutes and managed a single shot across two starts against Napoli and Ipswich.
His peripheral role in the opening weeks follows Arsenal’s well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile forwards such as Julian Alvarez and Vinícius Júnior. Gyökeres will need to seize any opportunity to prove his worth to Mikel Arteta.
Former player and Sky Sports commentator Jay Bothroyd offered a tactical perspective on the contrast between Gyökeres and Havertz. He explained that Gyökeres prefers to make runs behind the defence, operating on the shoulder of the back line and exploiting the channels between centre‑backs and full‑backs.
In contrast, Havertz functions as a link‑up player, often dropping deeper to hold the ball, facilitate possession, and connect the front three. Bothroyd suggested that Arsenal may need to adapt their approach to accommodate Gyökeres’s speed and physicality, while also emphasizing his need to improve ball retention – a key attribute of Havertz’s game. Bothroyd also highlighted the potential role of Mikel Merino as an alternative.
Merino shares several of Havertz’s qualities, including technical proficiency, vision, and the ability to hold up play and distribute effectively. He has already demonstrated an eye for goal in the box, and could become a more prominent figure if Gyökeres does not meet the required standards early in the season. In summary, Havertz’s return to Arsenal for medical assessment marks another chapter in a season already riddled with injury concerns for the German international.
While the initial prognosis points to a minor strain, the club will monitor his progress closely, hoping for a swift recovery that allows him to rejoin the squad before the Leeds fixture. Meanwhile, Arsenal must navigate the immediate challenge of finding a reliable striker, weighing the options of Gyökeres, Merino, and possibly other squad members as they continue their Premier League campaign.