Kai Havertz is set to return to Arsenal for a medical evaluation following an injury he sustained while representing Germany in the Nations League match against the Netherlands. During the first half of Thursday's 1-1 draw in Amsterdam, Havertz was involved in a challenge with Dutch midfielder Quinten Timber, which caused him to limp off the pitch and be replaced by substitute Younes Ebnoutalib. The club and national team medical staff have described the problem as a minor muscle strain, but the German forward has left the national camp to receive further treatment at Arsenal's facilities, meaning he will miss the remaining fixtures 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 magnetic resonance imaging scans.
"We hope to have a diagnosis by Thursday evening. It's not ideal, and I hope it's nothing serious," Klopp said.
"The lads are probably out for us, but I expect them to be back in action 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 netting three goals. Although the current injury appears to be low‑grade, it adds to a growing list of setbacks that have plagued the 27‑year‑old since his arrival at the Emirates. Last season, he managed only seven Premier League starts because of recurring knee and muscle problems, and the current campaign was already interrupted by a hamstring tear that kept him out for the final three months of the 2024/25 season. Arsenal now face a potential shortage in their attacking options.
If Havertz is sidelined for the rest of the international break, Viktor Gyökeres would become the club's primary striker, with Mikel Merino also being deployed further forward when needed. Arsenal's next Premier League fixture is a home game against Leeds United on Saturday, 10 October, giving the club roughly two weeks to assess Havertz's recovery and decide whether he can rejoin the squad in time.
In Germany's squad, Klopp has already named replacements for the injured forwards: Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt will take the places of Havertz and Musiala for the upcoming match. Sky Sports analyst Nick Wright expressed optimism that Havertz has avoided a serious injury, noting that the early timing of the knock provides a window of more than two weeks for rehabilitation before Arsenal's next league game. However, Wright also highlighted the discomfort of the situation, given Arsenal's recent attempts to bolster their attack during the summer transfer window. The forward's injury history, which includes a lengthy hamstring lay‑off in 2025, remains a cause for concern among supporters and coaching staff alike.
Gyökeres, who stepped in for Havertz last season and scored 21 goals in all competitions, has struggled to make an impact early in the new campaign. He has logged just 29 Premier League minutes and managed only a single shot in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich. This peripheral role follows Arsenal's well‑documented pursuit of high‑profile forwards such as Julian Álvarez and Vinícius Júnior.
Gyökeres now needs to seize any opportunity to prove his worth to manager Mikel Arteta. Former player and Sky Sports commentator Jay Bothroyd offered a tactical perspective on the differences between Gyökeres and Havertz.
Bothroyd explained that Gyökeres prefers to make runs behind the defense, operating on the shoulder and exploiting the channels between centre‑backs and full‑backs. In contrast, Havertz provides a more rounded platform, linking play, holding the ball under pressure, and facilitating combination moves with the front three. Bothroyd suggested that Arteta might also consider Merino as an alternative, citing Merino's technical ability, vision, and ball‑retention skills, which mirror many of Havertz's strengths.
Bothroyd added that Merino has already demonstrated an eye for goal in the box, and while Gyökeres is likely to start, sustained underperformance could see Merino earn a place in the starting lineup soon. Overall, Arsenal's attacking department faces a short‑term test.
The club must manage Havertz's recovery, potentially rely on Gyökeres and Merino, and continue to search for additional firepower to support Arteta's tactical vision. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Havertz can return swiftly and contribute to Arsenal's push in the Premier League, or whether the team will need to adapt its forward line to compensate for his absence.