Arsenal’s worst fears have been realised with Kai Havertz set to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side without a recognised centre‑forward in a blow to their Premier League title hopes.
The Germany striker, Arsenal’s top scorer this season with 15 goals in all competitions, sustained the injury during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai designed to give Arteta’s squad a much-needed break after an intensive run of games in January.
Arsenal returned to London on Tuesday and had been assessing the injury. Scan results are understood to have confirmed Havertz is unlikely to play again this season. It has yet to be decided whether surgery is required.
The latest hamstring injury in the squad represents another headache for Arteta, who expressed disappointment that Arsenal did not bring in reinforcements during the January transfer window after long‑term injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. They are also expected to be without Gabriel Martinelli for several weeks after the Brazilian injured a hamstring in the defeat by Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final last week.
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It leaves Arteta with only three fit senior forwards but none of Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling or Ethan Nwaneri favours a central role. Nathan Butler‑Oyedeji, a 22‑year‑old academy product yet to score a league goal after loans at Accrington and Cheltenham, could be an option. But But Arteta has hinted previously that Nwaneri, the 17‑year‑old who has scored seven goals in a brilliant breakthrough season, may be his preferred choice.
“I think he can develop into a No 9,” Arteta said in December. “He has got the goal in front of him and he looks at the goal and he has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Only last week Arteta had praised Havertz’s “robustness” and dismissed concerns that the 25‑year‑old may have to play every game given Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker in the January window.
“Genetically, he is a powerhouse,” Arteta said. “He is so well built. He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything and then he really looks after himself. We know how to manage him and we believe that when he says something it is for the right reason, not because he wants to avoid something. When something works, don’t touch him.”
Saka travelled with Arsenal to Dubai and was pictured working in the gym, although he is not expected to return for at least another month after hamstring surgery. There are also concerns about Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has played only six minutes for Arsenal this season after another knee injury and did not travel to Dubai. The Japan defender could face another operation having faced several setbacks in his attempts to return to full training.
