Havertz returning to Arsenal after suffering injury with Germany

Kai Havertz suffered an injury in the first half of Germany's 1-1 draw with Netherlands in their Nations League opener on Thursday; Arsenal forward is returning to his club to receive treatment, with the issue understood to be a suspected muscle strain

Kai Havertz is returning to Arsenal to be assessed after suffering an injury in Germany's Nations League clash with Netherlands.

Havertz pulled up with the issue after a challenge from Quinten Timber in the first half of Thursday's 1-1 draw in Amsterdam and had to be substituted for Younes Ebnoutalib.

The knock is understood to be a minor muscle strain but the forward is leaving the Germany camp to be treated by Arsenal, meaning he will miss the remaining games of the international window.

"Both are currently undergoing an MRI," said Germany manager Jurgen Klopp, who also lost Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala to a suspected thigh problem on the night.

"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."

Havertz has started six of Arsenal's eight games in all competitions this season, scoring three goals, but his injury, although not thought to be serious, represents the latest in the series of setbacks.

The 27-year-old was limited to only seven Premier League starts last season due to knee and muscle issues. He also missed the final three months of the 2024/25 due to a hamstring tear.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Another spell out would leave Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal's as only out-and-out striking option, although Mikel Merino has also been used in the role.

Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign at home to Leeds on Saturday October 10.

Havertz and Musiala are being replaced by Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt in Klopp's squad for Germany's next game.

Arsenal are confident Havertz has avoided a serious injury. They will take further consolation from the fact the issue has occurred early in the international window, leaving more than two weeks of recovery time before they face Leeds.

But the timing of the injury is still uncomfortable given it comes after their failed efforts to add another option up front in the summer. Havertz's injury history, which includes that lengthy lay-off with a hamstring problem in 2025, adds to the concern.

Gyokeres started in Havertz's absence last season, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, but he has had a tough start to the new campaign, only playing 29 Premier League minutes and registering a solitary shot in two starts against Napoli and Ipswich.

The Sweden international's demotion to a peripheral role in the opening weeks of the season follows Arsenal 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.

Gyokeres's style is very different to Havertz. He wants to run in behind more, he wants to play on the shoulder more and get down the channels between the centre-back and the full-back.

He himself, he needs to do better on the part about holding the ball, because that's what Havertz does. Havertz is a platform. There's good link up play with the front three when he plays.

In the box, we've also seen him score some important goals. I think Gryokeres will start, but if he's not doing what he should be doing early on, I think Merino will be in there soon.