Arsenal held an open training session at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, August 20, and there were some big names missing ahead of the clash with Leeds United at the weekend. The Gunners started their league campaign against Manchester United last time out, winning the encounter by one goal courtesy of Riccardo Calafiori. The campaign will be long and arduous, which is why Mikel Arteta will be hoping to keep a healthy squad for much of it. Injury-related absences throughout 2024/25 hindered the Gunners considerably and were probably the main reason they ended trophy-less yet again. Arteta would have entered this season with optimism, but early indications suggest there is no sign of respite for the Gunners.
Havertz, White And Nørgaard Absent
Eagle-eyed supporters spotted the absence of some key players during Wednesday’s session. According to Now Arsenal, the trio of Christian Nørgaard, Ben White and Kai Havertz all missed training, with the latter subsequently confirmed to have picked up a serious knee injury, sparking concern and speculation among fans. Nørgaard was a surprise omission from the matchday squad against United, with Arteta later confirming it was injury-related. No update has been issued on Ben White at the time of writing, while Kai Havertz remains the biggest concern. In more positive news, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga, who all missed the clash against United, took part in training.
Havertz Injury A Major Blow
Multiple outlets have confirmed that Havertz has sustained a knee injury and is set for a spell on the sidelines in what is a major blow to Arsenal. The German was expected to compete with Viktor Gyökeres for the centre-forward spot for the rest of the season, and now the Gunners risk continuing with just one recognised striker. The prognosis and duration of his absence remain unclear, but early indications suggest he could face a lengthy spell out.
What are your thoughts on the Havertz injury, Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Anyone with an idea of how severe this is? We talking weeks or months?
And regarding the Eze signing, I don’t think it was due to Kai’s injury at all. Well at least I hope not, because that would mean Kai is out for a very long time.
Speculation is that it’s 3 months.
Like you, I had a sneaky suspicion that it wasn’t a kneejerk reaction – other than Kai’s injury hastening the signing.
It won’t matter for the low IQ fans, because injuries are just an excuse. We could lose Saka, Gabby, Saliba, Victor for the season tomorrow, and these plonkers would still expect a league title!
Lucy78,
Thank goodness you never mentioned Odegaard, because with out him we’re finished.😂🤣👍
Oh you’re one of those. Yeah cos clearly back to back Arsenal player of the year is useless! Haha.
Lucy78
That’s what squads are for though. It’s why Arsenal have been so busy in the transfer market so far this summer, up to and including buying Eze. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the football equation – it’s how clubs prepare for them that matters.
Yes and no.
You can go into a season underprepared for sure, but even if you do everything right, like we have done so far this summer, the overriding factor in regards to success will still always be down to luck. Will your key players stay fit, and at key moments of the season?
E.g. we now have 3 strikers on the books, yet we’re down to one again. If Salah picked up a big injury, Liverpool would be in huge trouble. Defensive injuries, especially Rodri’s, destroyed City last season. There are certain players at every club that are impossible to replace.
This also means no easing Gyokeyes in, and rotating a little with Kai to keep them fresh. Unless we go again with Merino upfront, Gyok will have to start every game until either Jesus and Kai return, which could be months if reports are to be believed.
Lucy78
You’re right, but if those dire situations happen – and they do happen at every club at some time – you have to make the best of it with what you have available. Some cope better than others, as always.
As to impacting on “success”, that could be down to many things of course: injuries, suspensions, lack of form of particular players, or across a team generally etc. Again, all these are “known unknowns”, and particular teams are rarely affected (very seriously, anyway) more than across a single season, so it usually evens out.
Come on, football gods, give us a break
I guess this injury was a result of that wild tackle near the end of the United game, resulting in the Rice free kick.
I’m sure havertz will be fine especially now we have eze. I can now finally watch good football without having to see martinelli display is horror shows in the LW.
Also someone will finally pick up the number 10 jersey and eze is absolutely worthy of that number.
God I’m so happy, whatever issue I have with arteta and the club has totally been focused and extinguished.
COYG🥰🕺🕺🕺🕺
Totally been doused and extinguished *
Hopefully all the 3, Havertz, Norgaard and White return back soon. As for Nelson, Vierra and LoKonga, I doubt all 3 will remain with Arsenal come the end of the transfer window.
Yes, I saw that reference to the potential leavers. I assume Arsenal wants to show that they are all fully fit and ready to be sold, although I think Berta may have a job doing it.
I may have missed it, but I’m still none the wiser as to how long Havertz is expected to be out.
While it would only be an estimate, there’s usually some fairly consistent indication across reports, but I’ve read just one of six months, and another post here mentions three months. Wait and see, I guess.
Lets hope its not a long term injury as i really value the commitment and impact Havertz brings to the team.Could this be an opportunity to use the much maligned Martinelli as back up for Goykeres?