Arsenal’s Kai Havertz facing huge injury setback as nightmare scenario revealed

Arsenal have been dealt a massive blow at the start of the new Premier League season, with German international Kai Havertz now staring at another lengthy spell on the sidelines. The forward, who only recently returned from a hamstring problem that plagued him last season, suffered a fresh knee injury during the Gunners’ opening fixture against Manchester United.

Havertz came off the bench at Old Trafford in the second half, replacing new signing Viktor Gyökeres, who had started the game as Arsenal’s main striker. For 30 minutes, he looked eager to make an impression, full of energy and determined to reclaim his place in Mikel Arteta’s plans. But instead of marking a comeback, his evening ended in frustration after an awkward collision left him clutching his knee.

Reports from German outlet BILD have since painted a worrying picture for Arsenal supporters. According to the update, Havertz could be facing weeks, if not months, out of action. Initial plans involve two weeks of conservative therapy combined with medical injections in an effort to stabilize the knee. The hope is that such treatment will be enough to get him back on the pitch without the need for surgery.

However, the report warns that if these measures fail, Havertz could require an operation—something that would almost certainly rule him out for a significant period of the season. Considering his injury history, Arsenal are now anxiously awaiting further updates from the medical team to determine just how serious the setback will be.

The timing could hardly be worse for the 26-year-old. Last season, Havertz endured long absences due to a hamstring tear he suffered during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai. That injury disrupted his rhythm and forced Arteta to reshuffle his attacking options. Just when he seemed to have regained full fitness and was hoping for a fresh start, fate has cruelly struck again.

Arsenal’s forward line is already under pressure. Gabriel Jesus, another key striker, remains unavailable as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury. That leaves Viktor Gyökeres, the club’s marquee summer signing, as the undisputed starter. Behind him, options are thin, with Mikel Arteta potentially forced to rely on squad players like Mikel Merino—who is naturally a midfielder rather than a striker—to fill the gap.

Despite the growing concerns, Arsenal are unlikely to dive back into the transfer market before the window closes. Having recently secured the services of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, Arteta and Edu appear set on trusting the current squad depth rather than making a panic buy. But the absence of both Havertz and Jesus could leave the team dangerously short in attacking areas during a crucial part of the campaign.

The injury also raises questions about Havertz’s long-term role at Arsenal. Signed in 2023 to add versatility and creativity to the front line, the German has struggled to consistently deliver in North London. While flashes of his quality have been evident, injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from becoming the influential figure Arteta envisioned. Now, with Gyökeres leading the attack and other players stepping up, Havertz risks losing further ground.

For Havertz personally, the frustration must be immense. At 26, these should be the peak years of his career, yet he has been forced to endure constant interruptions that hinder his progress. With Arsenal competing in multiple competitions this season, including the Champions League, the German forward would have hoped to play a major role. Instead, he faces another battle to regain fitness and prove his worth.

Fans, too, are growing concerned. Social media reactions have been filled with disappointment, with many supporters fearing that the injury problems may derail Arsenal’s promising start to the season. Others have urged patience, pointing out that Havertz still has the talent to turn things around if he can finally stay healthy.

Ultimately, the coming weeks will be crucial. If conservative treatment works, Havertz could return relatively soon and play an important role in Arsenal’s campaign. But if surgery becomes unavoidable, the nightmare scenario for both player and club will become reality—another long and painful wait on the sidelines, and yet another setback for Mikel Arteta’s plans.