Arsenal’s Kai Havertz Sidelined for Rest of the Season Due to Hamstring Injury

Things are going from bad to worse for Arsenal. The Gunners were already stretched thin up front with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Martinelli all sidelined with long-term injuries. And now, to make matters worse, reports have surfaced that Kai Havertz has also been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring injury in training.

On Tuesday, The Athletic reported that Kai Havertz picked up a hamstring injury during training and now faces further assessment. It’s still unclear whether the German international will need surgery to repair the damage, and as of now, Arsenal have yet to release an official statement. However, the general feeling is that the 25-year-old is targeting a return for the start of the 2025/26 season. Havertz’s expected absence only adds to Arsenal’s growing injury woes in attack. Bukayo Saka, who traveled with the squad to Dubai, isn’t expected back until March after undergoing hamstring surgery in December. Gabriel Martinelli is still about a month away from returning after suffering a hamstring injury against Newcastle on 5th February, while Gabriel Jesus faces a lengthy recovery after tearing his ACL last month. 

Havertz had been a key figure for the Gunners this season, featuring in almost every game and contributing 15 goals and five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. His absence leaves Mikel Arteta with a serious headache as Arsenal push for silverware. Many Arsenal fans were fearing this situation. The Gunners tried to sign Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins – tabling a bid worth 60-million pounds – in the winter transfer window. But the bid was rejected by the Villans, as the offer came with only a couple of days left in the window. According to reports, the Villa hierarchy weren’t pleased by the timing of Arsenal’s bid. They ultimately didn’t sign anyone in the winter transfer window and are now targeting a striker in the summer transfer window. 

Havertz’s injury leaves Mikel Arteta with limited options up front, with only three senior forwards available: Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, and Raheem Sterling. While Arteta has tinkered with the team’s shape earlier in the season due to injuries, he should still be able to stick to his preferred 4-3-3 formation. In that setup, Trossard would likely slot in as the central striker, with Nwaneri on the right and Sterling on the left – arguably the most logical front three given the current squad. 

Arsenal, who currently sit second in the Premier League and trail leaders Liverpool by six points, have some crucial fixtures ahead. They travel to Leicester City on Saturday, host West Ham on 22nd February, and wrap up the month with a visit to Nottingham Forest on 26th February. With their title hopes hanging in the balance, Arteta will need his remaining forwards to step up in Havertz’s absence. 

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