Kai Havertz stood on the training ground in Dubai, hopeful that this season would bring silverware to north London. Now, he faces a long road to recovery after tearing his hamstring last week. Arsenal confirmed that the 25-year-old will undergo surgery in the coming days and miss the rest of the campaign.
“It’s unacceptable for Kai Havertz to pull a hamstring in training,” said former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, reflecting the frustration among fans who fear the club’s title chances are slipping away. Havertz, who has scored 15 goals in all competitions, was seen as the main solution up front after Arsenal failed to secure another forward in January.
Mikel Arteta acknowledged that the club made a $49.8 million approach for Aston Villa‘s Ollie Watkins, which was turned down, leaving a thin frontline.
Havertz’s setback highlights Arsenal’s striker crisis
With Gabriel Jesus recovering from ACL surgery, and Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined by hamstring issues, Arteta’s forward options are dangerously limited. “We had a clear intention to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can impact it, and we haven’t achieved that so we are disappointed in that sense,” Arteta admitted. Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard must now shoulder more responsibility, while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri could be thrown into the spotlight sooner than expected.
This crisis casts a shadow over Arsenal’s push to dethrone Liverpool at the top of the table. Havertz’s absence means fewer goals in the immediate future and a heavier burden on the remaining attackers. For supporters, it’s a harsh reminder of how quickly a promising season can unravel. Yet there is a determination within the squad to adapt, even if that requires tactical tweaks and greater reliance on youth.
Havertz’s rehabilitation will stretch into pre-season, and the hope is he’ll return stronger for the next campaign. Until then, Arsenal’s title ambitions hinge on finding creative ways to fill the gap he leaves behind. Everyone around the club, from the manager to his youngest apprentice, seems to understand the urgency. The real question is whether that understanding will be enough to keep pace in a fiercely competitive league.
