Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow as forward Kai Havertz is set to miss the rest of the season after sustaining a torn hamstring during the team’s training camp in Dubai.
According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old German international is still being assessed, and it remains unclear whether he will require surgery.
However, his focus is now on recovering in time for the start of the 2025-26 season.
Arsenal’s Injury Crisis in Attack
Havertz’s injury adds to Arsenal’s growing list of absentees in the forward line, further complicating Mikel Arteta’s tactical options.
Bukayo Saka is still recovering from hamstring surgery and is expected to be out until March.
Gabriel Martinelli suffered a hamstring injury against Newcastle United on February 5 and is not expected back for another month.
Gabriel Jesus faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee last month.
Despite these setbacks, Havertz had been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season, scoring 15 goals and providing five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.
Arsenal’s Missed Opportunity in the Transfer Market
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Arsenal were actively searching for attacking reinforcements during the winter transfer window but ultimately did not make any signings.
The club attempted to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, but the deal did not materialize.
Instead, Arsenal opted to focus on long-term targets for the summer window.
This decision now leaves Arteta with limited attacking options as Arsenal chase Liverpool in the Premier League title race and aim for a deep Champions League run.
Arsenal’s Injury Problems Beyond Attack
Bukayo Saka. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Injuries have plagued Arsenal across the pitch this season, with key players such as:
Ben White
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Riccardo Calafiori
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Mikel Merino
Martin Ødegaard
all missing games at various points in the campaign.
Arsenal’s Upcoming Fixtures
Despite the setbacks, Arsenal remain second in the Premier League, six points behind Liverpool. They have a challenging fixture schedule ahead:
Leicester City (A) – February 15
West Ham United (H) – February 22
Nottingham Forest (A) – February 26
With key players sidelined, Arteta will have to find creative solutions to keep Arsenal’s title hopes alive.
How Arsenal Could Cope Without Havertz
Kai Havertz during a training session at NAS Sports Complex. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
With Havertz now ruled out, Arteta has just three senior forwards available:
Leandro Trossard
Ethan Nwaneri
Raheem Sterling
Arsenal will likely stick to a 4-3-3 formation, with:
Trossard as the central striker
Nwaneri on the right
Sterling on the left
However, Arteta may have to explore alternative solutions:
Kieran Tierney has had cameos on the left wing and could be used as an emergency option.
Mikel Merino could provide aerial presence in the penalty area.
If Arteta turns to the Under-21 squad, the most likely options are:
Nathan Butler-Oyedeji (21, striker) – Made his first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb.
Ismeal Kabia (19, winger) – Made his debut in September against Bolton Wanderers.
The Road Ahead
Arsenal will play seven matches before the March international break, including three midweek fixtures. With squad depth severely tested, rotation will be crucial, but Arteta faces the challenge of maintaining consistency.
