Arsenal Face Critical Summer Crossroads as Kai Havertz's Injury Woes Mount
Arsenal supporters haven't witnessed Kai Havertz performing at his peak since February 2025.
A hamstring problem effectively concluded his 2024–25 campaign prematurely—two brief substitute appearances provided minimal encouragement—before a severe knee problem sustained just seven days into the fresh season returned him to rehabilitation.
Continuous obstacles have emerged, and Arsenal, aiming to secure their first Premier League championship in 22 years and position themselves as England's football powerhouse, are reportedly becoming worried about Havertz's persistent fitness struggles.
Why Kai Havertz's Injuries Are a Big Worry for Arsenal
Why Kai Havertz's Injuries Are a Big Worry for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta might claim he remains confident about eventually seeing Havertz return to form, but such calmness may not exist internally as Arsenal strive to become the sport's leading force.
Despite the well-earned praise Arsenal receives, pointing out their open-play scoring difficulties isn't controversial—a persistent problem that has troubled the Gunners for years.
Havertz has shown the most promise in addressing this issue, netting 29 times in 90 Arsenal matches, though Arteta clearly sought additional firepower when approving a £63.5 million ($85.6 million) transfer for Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres last summer.
Havertz Injury Snapshot
Havertz Injury Snapshot
Arsenal Are Top of the Table—But Scoring Issues Haven't Gone Away
Arsenal Are Top of the Table—But Scoring Issues Haven't Gone Away
Six months later, these identical problems persist. Havertz's unavailability has thrust Gyökeres into prominence he appeared unprepared for following an inconsistent summer, creating additional doubts about Arsenal's attacking strategy.
Demands from some frustrated supporters to offload Gyökeres will probably be ignored, but Arsenal genuinely face a challenging predicament regarding their front line.
When might Havertz return to assist? "I'm confident he'll feature in the coming fortnight. I can't specify exactly when," Arteta admitted during his latest press briefing.
Gabriel Jesus Fighting for His Future
Gabriel Jesus Fighting for His Future
Arsenal anticipated Havertz would recover by now, with expectations he'd provide main competition for Gyökeres. Gabriel Jesus seemed like the odd man out, considering his own finishing troubles largely created Arsenal's narrative initially.
Transfer rumors regarding a January departure were, and remain, widespread. The 28-year-old has recently recovered from his own injury struggles and requires playing time to regain peak performance.
Those opportunities have emerged during Havertz's absence. Jesus impressed with a brace as the lead striker against Inter and appears to be restoring his confidence, while the necessity to gradually reintroduce Havertz will provide additional chances for the likeable Brazilian.
Jesus has the opportunity to reestablish himself as a dependable option atop Arsenal's lineup and secure the contract extension he's publicly sought recently.
"I wish to remain and capture silverware with Arsenal because I arrived with ambition," he emphasized. "That's my goal. But clearly reality differs. Sometimes things change direction. However, my concentration is staying fit and winning trophies with Arsenal."
Three Strikers on the Books But No Clear Plan
Three Strikers on the Books But No Clear Plan
A choice regarding Jesus's future must now be delayed until later this season, when Havertz should be regaining form. Retaining both players alongside Gyökeres seems problematic, but accommodating another costly signing to finally solve their scoring concerns might prove even more challenging.
Despite connections to Atlético Madrid forward Julián Alvarez, Arsenal's summer preparations will likely be disrupted by Havertz's ongoing fitness problems. The Gunners are observing patiently, monitoring how their attacking trio responds.
Only after receiving those answers can Arsenal plan their next steps. Must they invest heavily in a new striker? If not, whom should they sell? Can they afford major spending elsewhere before determining their attacking approach?
The upcoming summer transfer window appears pivotal for Arsenal, who have exceeded expectations in England this season while obviously having room for improvement. Without proper planning capabilities, the Gunners risk falling behind competitors in the transfer market.