Kai Havertz leaves Germany camp after minor muscle strain, returns to Arsenal for assessment
Kai Havertz is returning to Arsenal for assessment after suffering a minor muscle strain in Germany's 1-1 Nations League draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Thursday. The forward pulled up following a challenge from Quinten Timber in the first half and was substituted, missing the rest of the international window.
- Fixture: Germany 1-1 Netherlands, Nations League, Amsterdam
- Injury: Minor muscle strain after a Quinten Timber challenge
- Replacement: Younes Ebnoutalib came on for Havertz
- Next Arsenal game: Home to Leeds, Saturday October 10
- Germany replacements: Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt called up
- At stake: Arsenal's only out-and-out striking option could be sidelined
Injury and availability
Kai Havertz suffered what is understood to be a minor muscle strain in the first half against the Netherlands and is leaving the Germany camp for treatment at Arsenal. He will miss Germany's remaining international games.
Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich also went off with a suspected thigh problem on the same night, and Germany manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed both players are undergoing MRI scans.
Arsenal are optimistic Havertz has avoided a serious injury and will take consolation from the issue occurring early in the window, leaving more than two weeks of recovery time before they face Leeds.
What was said
"Both are currently undergoing an MRI."
"I hope we get the diagnosis [on Thursday] evening. But of course, this isn't great. I hope it's nothing serious. The lads are probably out for us. But hopefully, they'll be back in action relatively quickly."
Klopp's words sound a note of caution rather than panic. He confirms scans are under way, that both men are likely out of Germany's next match, and that he hopes for quick returns. For Arsenal, the key phrase is "nothing serious" β but the scan result remains the only thing that matters.
Arsenal's own medical staff now take over Havertz's care. The fact he is leaving the national camp immediately, rather than staying for assessment, points to a desire to control his recovery in-house from day one.
The numbers
- Six β Arsenal starts for Havertz in all competitions this season
- Eight β Arsenal games played in all competitions this season
- Three β goals scored by Havertz this season
- Seven β Premier League starts for Havertz last season
- Three months β the final part of the 2024/25 season missed with a hamstring tear
- 21 β goals in all competitions for Viktor Gyokeres last season
- 29 β Premier League minutes for Gyokeres this season
- One β shot registered by Gyokeres in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich
Where the Havertz injury leaves Arsenal's attack
The timing is uncomfortable, arriving after Arsenal's failed efforts to add another forward in the summer. Kai Havertz's injury history β including that lengthy hamstring lay-off in 2025 β adds to the concern, even if the current problem is only a minor strain.
Another spell out would leave Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal's only out-and-out striking option, although Mikel Merino has also been used in the role. Gyokeres started in Havertz's absence last season and scored 21 goals in all competitions, but he has had a tough start to the new campaign: 29 Premier League minutes and a solitary shot in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich.
The Sweden international's demotion to a peripheral role follows Arsenal's well-documented pursuits of Julian Alvarez and Vinicius Junior. Gyokeres must seize his chance to show he has a place in Mikel Arteta's plans.
Could Merino usurp struggling Gyokeres?
Viktor Gyokeres's style is very different to Kai Havertz's. He wants to run in behind more, play on the shoulder and get down the channels between the centre-back and the full-back. Arsenal will have to change how they build play β getting on the half-turn and looking for him early β because he has speed and strength.
Gyokeres must also improve at holding the ball, because that is what Havertz does. Havertz is a platform; there is good link-up play with the front three when he plays. Gyokeres needs to replicate that, but Arteta may look at Mikel Merino, who shares many of Havertz's attributes: technically very good, holds the ball, has good vision and makes good passes. In the box, Merino has also scored important goals.
Gyokeres will likely start, but if he is not doing what he should early on, Merino could be in there soon.
Talking points
- Should Arsenal trust Gyokeres to hold the ball in Havertz's absence despite only 29 Premier League minutes this season?
- Would starting Merino as a false nine be a safer short-term fix than persisting with Gyokeres?
- Arsenal's failure to sign another forward in the summer now looks riskier given Havertz's injury record.
- Is Havertz's injury history β seven league starts last season, a three-month hamstring tear β a long-term concern for Arsenal?
What happens next
Havertz will be assessed by Arsenal's medical staff once he returns from the Germany camp. The club will await the results of his MRI scan before deciding whether he can face Leeds at home on Saturday, October 10. If he is ruled out, Gyokeres is expected to lead the line, with Merino offering a tactical alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kai Havertz injured and returning to Arsenal?
Yes. Havertz suffered a minor muscle strain in Germany's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands and is leaving the Germany camp to be assessed and treated by Arsenal.
Will Kai Havertz miss Arsenal vs Leeds?
It is not yet confirmed. He will miss Germany's remaining international games, but Arsenal are optimistic the injury is not serious and he has more than two weeks to recover before the Leeds game on October 10.
Who will replace Havertz if he is out?
Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal's only other out-and-out striker and is expected to start, though Mikel Merino has also been used in the role and could step in if Gyokeres struggles.
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