Kai Havertz has had to withdraw from international duty due to an injury, adding to Arsenal’s recent challenges.
Mikel Arteta’s squad has made a strong start this season, currently just one point behind Liverpool and remaining unbeaten across all competitions.
Havertz has been integral to Arsenal’s success, recently netting an equalizer in their 3-1 comeback win over Southampton on Saturday.
With the international break approaching, he will not be part of the German national team for the 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 matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands.
The statement noted: “Kai Havertz will miss the upcoming international matches due to knee problems. Get well soon, Kai.”
This situation adds to a series of injury challenges for Arsenal.
Before Saturday’s match, defenders Ben White and Jurrien Timber were already out due to injuries, and team captain Martin Ødegaard is expected to be sidelined for an extended period following an injury during international duty last month. The timeline for Ødegaard’s recovery remains unclear.
Havertz joined Arsenal during the summer transfer window after three seasons at Chelsea.
Although he won the Champions League in his first year at Stamford Bridge, he struggled to consistently meet expectations during his time there.
After joining Arsenal, he initially faced difficulties settling in, scoring just once in his first 12 Premier League matches.
However, as the season progressed, Havertz found his form, finishing with a career-high 13 Premier League goals.
His contributions were significant in pushing Arsenal’s title race to the final day of the season.
As Arsenal aims to challenge for the title again this year, Havertz has become a key player in the attack, scoring six goals in all competitions so far.
His performances are crucial as Arteta looks to build on last season’s achievements for another strong campaign.
Unfortunately, Havertz’s knee injury adds to the growing list of unavailable players. With key figures like Ødegaard, White, and Timber also out, Arteta faces the challenge of maintaining the team’s momentum during this tough period.
These injuries could affect Arsenal’s ability to compete at the highest level, but the team remains optimistic about Havertz’s swift recovery and return to action.
As the international break progresses, Arsenal supporters hope their star player can recover quickly and continue to be pivotal in the club’s pursuit of silverware this season.
Despite the injury challenges, Arsenal’s strong early form suggests they are well-positioned to compete at the top of the Premier League, making Havertz’s return vital for their ongoing success.