That would be a massive setback in the Premier League title race: Arsenal’s top scorer Kai Havertz faces the prospect of missing the rest of the season through injury.
Arsenal are currently using the gap in their schedule to prepare for the end of the season in Dubai. However, one training session could have had fatal consequences: Kai Havertz apparently faces the prospect of missing the rest of the season.
As The Athletic reported on Wednesday afternoon, the German international has suffered a serious thigh injury. It remained unclear whether it was a muscle bundle tear. It was also unclear whether surgery would be necessary. Arsenal did not initially provide an injury update on Havertz.
In any case, it is a massive setback for the Gunners’ hopes of winning the league. In recent months, coach Mikel Arteta has already had to cope with the long-term absences of Bukayo Saka (serious thigh injury) – expected to return in March – and Gabriel Jesus (out for the season after tearing his cruciate ligament). Gabriel Martinelli is also currently missing with a thigh injury.
Bad news for Nagelsmann
The loss of the in-form Havertz will be almost impossible to absorb. With nine goals, the 25-year-old is the top Premier League scorer in the table ahead of Gabriel Martinelli (6). In 34 competitive games this season, Havertz has already scored 15 goals and provided five assists.
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse either. Arsenal had been looking to strengthen their attack in the winter transfer window due to their depleted offensive line-up, but in the end decided against signing another striker.
It is also bad news for Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who had firmly planned on Havertz for the Nations League quarter-final against Italy at the end of March.
