Kai Havertz has been forced to withdraw from international duty due to an injury, marking the latest setback for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s team has had a strong start to the season and is currently just one point behind Liverpool, having yet to lose in any competition so far.
Havertz has played a central role in Arsenal’s success, recently scoring an equalizer in their 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton on Saturday.
However, with the international break approaching, Havertz will not be joining the German national team for their upcoming Nations League matches.
A statement from the German Football Association confirmed that the 25-year-old is dealing with a knee injury and will miss the upcoming fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Netherlands.
The statement read: “Kai Havertz will miss the upcoming international matches due to knee problems. Get well soon, Kai.”
This news is the latest in a series of injury blows for Arsenal.
Prior to Saturday’s match, defenders Ben White and Jurrien Timber were already sidelined due to injuries, while team captain Martin Ødegaard is also expected to miss an extended period after being injured during international duty last month. Ødegaard’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Havertz joined Arsenal in the summer transfer window after spending three seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea.
Despite winning the Champions League in his first season at Stamford Bridge, Havertz often struggled to consistently meet expectations during his time with the Blues.
Upon his arrival at Arsenal, he initially found it difficult to settle in, scoring just once in his first 12 Premier League appearances.
However, as the season progressed, Havertz began to find his form, eventually finishing with a career-best 13 Premier League goals.
His contributions helped Arsenal push the title race to the final day of the season.
As Arsenal aims to challenge for the title again this year, Havertz has emerged as a key figure in the team’s attack, scoring six goals across all competitions so far.
His performances have been crucial as Arteta looks to build on last season’s achievements and mount another strong campaign.
Unfortunately, Havertz’s knee injury now adds to Arsenal’s growing list of unavailable players. With several key figures sidelined, including Ødegaard,
White, and Timber, Arteta will face the challenge of maintaining the team’s momentum through this difficult period.
The injuries could impact Arsenal’s ability to compete at the highest level, but the team remains hopeful that Havertz will recover swiftly and return to action soon.
As the international break unfolds, Arsenal supporters will be hoping that their star player can make a speedy recovery and continue to play a pivotal role in the club’s quest for silverware this season.
Despite the challenges posed by injuries, Arsenal’s early form suggests that they are well-positioned to compete at the top of the Premier League, and Havertz’s return will be vital to their continued success.