Kai Havertz Forced Off With Hamstring Injury, Arsenal Hoping for Return by October 10

Kai Havertz is returning to Arsenal for assessment after suffering a hamstring injury during Germany’s 1-1 Nations League draw with the Netherlands, forced off just 30 minutes into new head coach Jürgen Klopp’s first match in charge.

How It Happened

Havertz pulled up with the issue after being caught by a high challenge from Netherlands and Crystal Palace midfielder Quinten Timber — the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber — early in the first half. He was unable to continue and was replaced, with Germany going on to draw 1-1 after Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo cancelled out Felix Nmecha’s opener in stoppage time, denying new Netherlands coach Xavi Hernández a winning start of his own.

What’s Been Said

Speaking to German broadcaster RTL after the match, Klopp confirmed that both Havertz and teammate Jamal Musiala — who withdrew from the starting lineup during the warm-up — would likely miss the rest of the international window, with scans pending on both players that evening. Klopp said he hoped the diagnosis wouldn’t reveal anything serious, while acknowledging the situation wasn’t ideal. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, there is some optimism within Arsenal that the injury isn’t severe, with Havertz set to undergo further assessment and treatment at the club’s London Colney training base. Sky Sports has reported the issue is currently understood to be a minor muscle strain.

Why Arsenal Are Nervous

Havertz’s injury history makes this a genuinely tense moment for Mikel Arteta’s side. The German missed the final three months of the 2024-25 season with a hamstring tear and was restricted to just seven Premier League starts last season because of ongoing knee and muscle issues. Having started all five of Arsenal’s Premier League matches so far this season and scored twice, Havertz has become Arteta’s most trusted option in the number nine role, making any extended fresh absence a significant concern heading into a demanding run of fixtures.

What’s Next for Arsenal

Arsenal return to Premier League action against an unbeaten Leeds United side on Saturday, October 10, before a Champions League trip to face Bayern Munich later in the month. Should Havertz be unavailable, Viktor Gyökeres is best placed to lead the line, with Mikel Merino also used in the role previously. Klopp, meanwhile, has called up Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt as replacements for Havertz and Musiala for Germany’s next fixture, at home to Greece.

Why It Matters

With Arsenal already navigating a period where central striking options are stretched, another hamstring setback for Havertz — even if described as minor — revives exactly the kind of injury pattern that has disrupted his last two seasons. The club will be watching the results of his assessment closely, given how much of Arteta’s attacking approach currently rests on his No. 9.

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