Kai Havertz injury leaves Arsenal without any strikers as torn hamstring rules him out for the rest of the season.
Kai Havertz injury jolts Gunners as he is set to miss rest of season with injury in major blow for Arsenal.
The injury was incurred by the Germany striker, who leads Arsenal in scoring this season with 15 goals across all competitions, during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai that was intended to provide Arteta’s team with a much-needed respite following a demanding January schedule.
Arsenal had been evaluating the injury when they returned to London on Tuesday. Havertz is not expected to play again this season, according to scan results. Whether surgery is necessary has not yet been determined.
After long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, Arteta voiced disappointment that Arsenal did not add reinforcements during the January transfer window, and the newest hamstring ailment in the team is just one more issue. Additionally, they anticipate being without Gabriel Martinelli for a number of weeks following the Brazilian’s hamstring injury sustained during last week’s Carabao Cup semi-final loss to Newcastle.
Only three senior forwards are fit for Arteta, and none of them—Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, or Ethan Nwaneri—favor a centre position. One possibility is Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, a 22-year-old academy product who hasn’t scored a league goal despite loans at Accrington and Cheltenham. However, Arteta has already made it clear that Nwaneri might be his first pick.
Only last week Arteta had praised Havertz’s “robustness” and dismissed concerns that the 25‑year‑old may have to play every game given Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker in the January window.
“Genetically, he is a powerhouse,” Arteta said. “He is so well built. He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything and then he really looks after himself. We know how to manage him and we believe that when he says something it is for the right reason, not because he wants to avoid something. When something works, don’t touch him.”
Saka, who is not anticipated to return for at least another month following hamstring surgery, flew to Dubai with Arsenal and was seen working out in the gym. Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has only played six minutes for Arsenal this season due to another knee ailment and did not go to Dubai, is another player that raises concerns. After experiencing multiple setbacks in his attempts to resume full training, the Japan defender may have to undergo another operation.