Kai Havertz is set to travel back 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’s 1-1 draw in Amsterdam on Thursday turned sour for the Arsenal forward when he was challenged by Quinten Timber early in the first half. The contact caused Havertz to limp off the pitch, and he was subsequently replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib. Initial reports suggest the injury is a relatively minor muscle strain, but the decision has been made for the player to leave the German camp and receive treatment under the supervision of Arsenal’s medical team.
As a result, he will miss the remaining fixtures in the current international window. Germany manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that both Havertz and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, who also suffered a suspected thigh problem, are undergoing magnetic resonance imaging scans.
"We expect to have a diagnosis by Thursday evening," Klopp said. "It’s not ideal, and I hope it isn’t something serious. The lads are probably out for us, but I’m optimistic 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 setback appears to be minor, it adds to a string of recent fitness issues that have hampered his progress. Last season, the 27‑year‑old was limited to just 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 of attacking options if Havertz is sidelined for an extended period. Viktor Gyökeres, who has been the club’s primary striker, could become the lone out‑and‑out forward, although midfielder Mikel Merino has also been deployed in a more advanced role.
The Gunners are scheduled to resume their Premier League fixtures at home against Leeds United on Saturday, 10 October, giving them roughly two weeks to assess Havertz’s recovery. In Germany’s next match, Klopp will replace both Havertz and Musiala with Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt, hoping the younger talents can fill the creative void. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright expressed optimism that Havertz has avoided a serious injury.
He noted that the timing of the incident – early in the international break – leaves Arsenal more than two weeks to rehabilitate the player before the Leeds game. Nevertheless, the injury comes at an inconvenient moment, following Arsenal’s unsuccessful attempts to secure an additional forward during the summer transfer window. Wright reminded fans of Havertz’s injury history, including the lengthy hamstring lay‑off he endured in 2025, which continues to raise concerns about his durability. Gyökeres, who stepped in for Havertz last season and netted 21 goals in all competitions, has struggled to find form at the start of the new campaign.
He has logged only 29 Premier League minutes and managed a single shot across two starts against Napoli and Ipswich. His reduced role reflects Arsenal’s well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile attackers such as Julian Álvarez and Vinícius Júnior.
Gyökeres will need to seize any opportunity to prove his worth to manager Mikel Arteta. Former player and Sky Sports commentator Jay Bothroyd highlighted the contrasting styles of Gyökeres and Havertz.
Bothroyd explained that Gyökeres prefers making 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’s game is built around holding up play, linking with teammates, and providing a platform for the front three.
Bothroyd suggested that Arteta might also look to Merino, who shares many of Havertz’s technical attributes – strong ball retention, vision, and passing ability – and has already demonstrated a knack for scoring important goals. Bothroyd concluded that while Gyökeres is likely to start, his continued selection will depend on his ability to adapt to the demands of the role and replicate the link‑up play that Havertz offers. If he fails to meet expectations early, Merino could be given a chance to step into the attacking line‑up. Overall, Arsenal’s immediate concern is to monitor Havertz’s condition closely, manage his rehabilitation, and ensure that the team retains sufficient attacking depth for the upcoming fixtures.
The club’s medical staff will work in conjunction with the player to determine the best course of action, aiming for a swift and safe return to action. Meanwhile, the coaching staff must adjust tactics to accommodate the potential absence of their versatile forward, whether by relying on Gyökeres’s pace, Merino’s technical skill, or a combination of both.