Arsenal’s worst fears have been realised, with reports suggesting that Kai Havertz could be ruled out for the rest of the season. The German has been a crucial figure in Arsenal’s attack, and his potential absence would leave the Gunners in a difficult position as they push for silverware in the final months of the campaign.
The North London club had already been struggling with injuries before this latest setback. Gabriel Jesus has been in and out of the team due to fitness concerns, and Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker in the January transfer window now looks like a costly mistake. The Gunners had identified a forward as a key target but were unable to secure a deal, instead choosing to rely on Havertz as their main attacking option for the second half of the season.
Their gamble appeared to be paying off, as Havertz maintained his fitness and delivered some key performances. However, according to a report from the Daily Mail, the German has suffered a serious injury during Arsenal’s training camp in Dubai, and initial assessments suggest he could miss the remainder of the campaign.
This news comes as a devastating blow to Mikel Arteta’s side, who are already dealing with multiple injuries in attacking areas. Gabriel Martinelli had recently joined Jesus and Bukayo Saka on the sidelines, leaving Arsenal severely short of options in the final third. Havertz was their only reliable fit forward, and his absence now places further strain on an already depleted squad.
Arsenal had entered the season with high hopes of competing for major trophies, particularly in the Premier League, where they are battling Liverpool and Manchester City for the title. However, their failure to strengthen the squad in January could now derail their ambitions. With Havertz out, Arsenal faces the daunting task of finishing the season without a recognised centre-forward, which will significantly impact their attacking output.
The injury crisis has left Arteta scrambling for solutions. The manager may have to deploy makeshift options up front or rely on younger players from the academy to step up. While Arsenal’s defensive solidity has kept them competitive, their inability to convert chances in key moments has already cost them points this season. Without Havertz, their struggles in front of goal could become even more pronounced.
The Gunners’ decision not to sign a striker in January was always a risk, but it now looks like a major miscalculation. If they fail to maintain their title challenge or progress in the Champions League, this moment may be seen as the turning point in their season.
ADMIN COMMENT
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You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
I am excited.
Kai, has played so much games from the start and most times playing for 90mins.
Let’s see what the manager does to cope. Someone is about to take the opportunity. His hands are being forced, it’s a good thing. I wish Chidi Obi was around he would have benefited, but someone else will. Kai wasn’t working anyway. If this is what it takes for us to try something else, that’s okay.
Injury crisis, I predict, will be Arteta’s number one excuse for screwing up the 24/25 season.
The bigger crisis for the Club, however, is fans will take him at his word and believe him.
Probably the best comment on JA in donkeys years .
@Dan kit
It is indeed a great news to hear Kai (dont know know his relevance) is out of season because I prefer a lady striker from our women up on field than him 100000000%
Rfrancis,
I couldn’t agree more. If injury’s are his excuse this season.
What were the excuses for the previous two seasons.
He’s never held accountable and until he is, this club is winning nothing.
In fact I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, as long as Arteta is this club’s manager they’ll never win the League.
So are you suggesting that Arsenal do not have an injury crisis? Or do you believe that injuries are irrelevant to the club’s performances.
Yes David, we have a ln injury crisis, made worse by poor decisions. But we lost the league in the first 10 games when our decision making was poor and we didn’t have an injury crisis, anymore than anyone else. If you can not see the schoolboy way Arteta is managing this club, you are blind. You ALWAYS try to gloss over EVERY poor decision made by Arteta. Now he has an excuse, I am sure it will be hammered home, over every other failure.
It’s an excuse mate
That’s what January is for
They knew Saka and Jesus was injured
It borders on criminal negligence to not have signed at least one forward player this past transfer window. A player like Kolo Muani was available for a loan deal and was even reportedly offered to Arsenal.
Juventus snapped him up on a no-obligation loan and he is scoring goals for them. His presence has even now confined Vhlaovic to the bench
The blame for this ‘crime’ must lie squarely with the club’s owners. Arteta made it clear that the team needed “help” to shore up the shortness up front. Even some of his players, notably Rice, voiced the need for a new signing. But the oligarchs in the US turned a deaf ear. And now here we are!
Sad, when a player gets injured, but we will not miss Kai much, as I’ve wanted to see him benched as he is nothing more than a squad player in my opinion. This is a blessing in disguise for Arsenal, as the team will be more fluid and lethal without him upfront. The only downside for me is that the injury happened at a time when we are short upfront.
He ìs your highest goal scorer mate
And he was having his best scoring season ever.
For the players we have in the squad, Havertz remains the best for the striker position
CorporateMan,
And what a sad indictment that is to the club.
We still need a proper striker.
Three seasons and counting. 🙄🤦♂️
But, DEREK, while I do not make excuses for the blatantly bad decisions made this season, we need to remind ourselves that it was this same group of players the previous season broke the club’s goal-scoring record in the PL and came within whiskers of winning the league for the first time in 20 years.
Just saying
CorporateMan,
I hear what your saying, but it still doesn’t excuse Arteta from his persistent ignorance of the club needing an out and out striker.
Had he addressed it, instead of prioritizing other positions that weren’t as urgent. That could have made the difference in the previous two seasons, where the team came so close.
Yes injury’s have obviously had an effect, but some of the decisions that Arteta has made have come back to bite him big time.
@ Solwills
I can’t agree less with all you have said!
Don’t worry there are 3-4 left backs & 2 right backs soon when White is fit. For 90 Arsenal will play in their own half & get a draw.
This is own making from the beginning of this year. the 3 (Saka, GM & Kai) out of 4 injuries are due to over playing because Arsenal didn’t have a backup which they should have bought in the summer
That’s what i figured, Arteta will find a way to play a LB up front. What injury crisis? Liverpool dropped points and walked alone in the 98th at Goodison, the fat lady has not sung just yet.
I genuinely believe it was Arteta who laid the foundation for us to be in this competitive position today. Under his leadership, we’ve consistently been at the top, showing we’re one of the best teams in Europe. Yes, we’ve faced a string of injuries, but even then, we’ve managed to stay in 2nd place, which speaks volumes about the resilience of the squad.
We can’t ignore the fact that our players have been playing a lot of games for the past few seasons, so it’s no surprise we’re dealing with fatigue and injuries. Its not about making excuses, it’s about recognizing the reality of the situation.
I truly believe we are on the right path, and one day soon, we will win the league. For now, we need to get behind the team. Finishing at least 2nd this season would be a great achievement given the current circumstances. This season is a test of resilience, and it’s time to show support for Arteta and the squad.
I am with you Apac.
In spite of what may turn out to be a disappointing season, I believe the club is on the right track.
Second in the PL with top-four very realisable, finishing third in a 36-team European crowd, the foundation is there. We just need the Kroenkes to back the manager more.
CorporateMan,
The club have backed Arteta more than enough. And Arteta has wasted a good chunk of it.
And now you want the club to trust Arteta with yet more of there money.
You can’t make this stuff up.🙄🤦♂️🤷♂️
Its a shame to say Arteta isnt the right person or that Arsenal wont win with him. I believe he’s the only one who can deliver the league cup. The board needs to support him in the transfer market, as we definitely lack squad depth. I hope they sign 3-4 players this summer, and that all of them stay fit.
I agree. Arteta has made some bad decisions this year and I think him and Edu did botch the summer market by buying the wrong players and wrong positions were focused on. But a strong summer can turn things around quickly. The problem is, when is the last time Arsenal hit ALL their targets and got every single player we needed. Has to have been well over a decade since we were truly satisfied and didnt go into the season questioning several positions. I want to have faith we can actually make big moves in the transfer market and go into a season confidently, but I need to see the evidence. Sesko, Zubimendi are good starts if they happen. Get those done early and find a goal scoring winger next.
“The German has been a crucial figure in Arsenal’s attack, and his potential absence would leave the Gunners in a difficult position as they push for silverware in the final months of the campaign.”
Had to chuckle at this one! 😀 Havertz has been rubbish this season, will he really be missed?
@ Dave
you nearly make me puke!
only for your last statement to make laugh so loud!
you must really got me there… please stop there so I dont have art-tea-tak
Dave,
The only silverware the boys will get their hands on this season, is the knives and forks and spoons that they use in the club canteen for their meals.😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😉👍
Sometimes I wonder how they see things over there at managerial level at the club hq. Everyone (fans, pundits and opponents) knew arsenal needed a striker except arteta and edu, i personally was of the belief we didn’t want to sign a striker because arteta was going to insist on nketiah being the back up CF, Then on the last days of the summer transfer window they sold him to Palace. They sold him so late that we couldn’t buy a new striker. G. Jesus got injured at the right time just before the opening of the winter window ensuring that we had a full month to get a striker even if was on loan, but we passed on that opportunity only for the last CF we have to go out injured for the rest of the season. I don’t know how fate could talk so loudly to someone only for the said person to close his ears.
All that needs to happen now is for martinelli or (God forbid) trossard to go out for the rest of the season, that is when the real problems begins.
Arteta has always yapped about a false 9, well he now has the opportunity to play his merino (player we didn’t need) in that position, lets see if he can make him useful to the team.