Arsenal’s Havertz Suffers Injury

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury during the team’s training camp in Dubai.

The 25-year-old’s absence leaves Arsenal without a recognized striker until the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

The Athletic first reported that Havertz suffered a torn hamstring, and sources close to the player anticipate that he will require surgery. He returned to London with the team on Tuesday, but Arsenal has yet to comment publicly on his condition.

Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to address the injury at Friday’s press conference ahead of their match against Leicester City on Saturday.

Havertz’s injury compounds Arsenal’s attacking woes, with Gabriel Jesus sidelined after anterior cruciate ligament surgery and Bukayo Saka recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in December. Gabriel Martinelli also suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle and is expected to be out for over a month.

Havertz has been a key player for Arsenal this season, making 34 appearances across all competitions and leading the club’s scoring charts with 15 goals and five assists. His absence leaves Arteta with limited options up front, especially after the club failed to secure reinforcements during the January transfer window.

An offer for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins was rejected, while rumored pursuits of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson failed to materialize.

Even before the injury crisis, pundits and fans had criticized Arsenal’s lack of a natural striker, warning that it could hinder their title challenge.

Last week, Arteta admitted that Havertz might have to start every remaining game, with wingers Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and Ethan Nwaneri as alternative forward options.

Arsenal traveled to Dubai for warm-weather training last Thursday after their Carabao Cup semi-final exit to Newcastle. They were also absent from FA Cup action this weekend following their third-round defeat to Manchester United.

Currently sitting second in the Premier League, Arsenal trails leaders Liverpool by six points, with Jurgen Klopp’s side holding a game in hand.