Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern after Kai Havertz was forced off during Germany’s Nations League clash with the Netherlands, leaving Mikel Arteta and Arsenal supporters anxiously waiting for the results of further medical examinations.
Havertz started the match in Amsterdam as Germany played their first game under new head coach Jurgen Klopp. However, his evening was cut short after just 30 minutes when he required treatment before eventually leaving the pitch. Early reports suggested that the Arsenal forward was experiencing a muscular problem, with particular concern surrounding his hamstring.
The injury immediately raised concerns because Havertz has experienced significant injury problems in recent seasons. The German has previously suffered both knee and hamstring setbacks, making the latest incident particularly worrying for Arsenal as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures after the international break.
Havertz Forced Off After Half an Hour
Havertz entered the international break in good form and had established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice centre-forward at the beginning of the 2026/27 campaign.
He was selected to lead the line for Germany against the Netherlands, but his involvement lasted only 30 minutes.
The forward went down following a challenge involving Netherlands midfielder Quinten Timber, the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber. Havertz received treatment on the pitch before eventually making his way off.
Reports subsequently indicated that Havertz appeared to be feeling discomfort around his hamstring. He was replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib, who made his international debut.
The incident immediately shifted attention away from the match itself, with Arsenal supporters more interested in the condition of one of their key attacking players.
According to reports after the match, Germany coach Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Havertz had suffered a muscular injury and would undergo further medical checks. Klopp also confirmed that Jamal Musiala was dealing with an injury after the Bayern Munich player was forced to withdraw before kick-off.
Arsenal Waiting for More Information
At this stage, Arsenal do not have a confirmed diagnosis that would determine exactly how long Havertz could be unavailable.
That uncertainty is arguably the biggest concern for Arteta.
Klopp explained after the match that both Havertz and Musiala were undergoing MRI examinations. The Germany boss indicated that both players were unlikely to feature in Germany’s immediate upcoming fixture, while expressing hope that they would recover quickly enough to return to their clubs.
That means Arsenal supporters will have to wait for the results before making any realistic assessment of Havertz’s recovery timeline.
The early reports should therefore be treated with caution. Although the injury has been described as muscular and there are concerns about the hamstring, there has been no confirmed announcement establishing a specific grade of injury or a definite period on the sidelines.
Why Havertz’s Injury Matters to Arsenal
Havertz has become an important part of Arteta’s attacking plans.
Reports from the opening weeks of the campaign indicate that he has been operating as Arsenal’s preferred centre-forward, ahead of Viktor Gyokeres. He had also scored three goals in seven appearances across all competitions before the international break.
That makes his fitness particularly important.
Arsenal have invested heavily in improving their attacking options, giving Arteta more alternatives than he has had in previous seasons. However, Havertz’s role provides the team with a different profile at centre-forward.
His ability to link play, contribute physically and move between attacking positions has made him an important part of Arsenal’s attacking structure.
If his injury proves serious, Arteta could be forced to change his plans.
Gyokeres would naturally be one of the players capable of taking on additional responsibility. The Swedish striker has been competing with Havertz for the centre-forward position, and an extended absence for Havertz could provide him with more opportunities to start.
However, Arsenal will first want to know the extent of Havertz’s problem before making any decisions.
Havertz’s Previous Injury Problems
Another reason the latest incident has generated concern is Havertz’s injury history.
The Arsenal forward has experienced several significant setbacks over the past two seasons. Earlier in 2025, he underwent surgery after suffering a hamstring injury and subsequently spent a lengthy period recovering.
He later suffered another major setback involving his knee, which kept him out for several months.
A muscular problem now arriving during the international break will therefore be closely monitored by Arsenal’s medical staff.
The club will not want to rush Havertz back if there is any risk of aggravating the problem.
His previous injury history also means that Arsenal are likely to take a cautious approach once the scan results are available.
International Duty Creates Another Concern
Havertz’s injury is another reminder of the risks clubs face when their players leave for international duty.
Arsenal have several players representing their countries, and the timing of the current international break makes the situation particularly frustrating for Arteta.
Havertz had been building momentum with Arsenal before joining Germany, but his involvement with the national team has now ended early because of the injury.
Germany are also dealing with Musiala’s fitness concerns, while Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey was forced off during the same match with an apparent muscular problem.
For Arsenal, however, the priority is clear: determining whether Havertz can return to club action without missing a significant number of matches.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is the medical assessment.
Havertz was expected to undergo further scans after the Netherlands match, with the results intended to determine the seriousness of the injury. Until those examinations are completed and communicated, speculation over his exact recovery period remains premature.
Arsenal will hope the results show that the problem is relatively minor.
If that is the case, Havertz could potentially return after a short period of rehabilitation. If the scans reveal a more serious hamstring injury, however, the forward could face a longer spell away from competitive football.
The timing of the diagnosis will also be important because Arsenal have a busy schedule waiting for them following the international break.
The Gunners are expected to face Leeds United in the Premier League on October 11, while further domestic and European fixtures will follow.
Arsenal Fans Await Positive News
For now, Arsenal supporters can only wait for the official medical update.
Havertz’s injury is undoubtedly a concern because of his importance to Arteta’s current plans and his previous injury history. However, there is currently no confirmed evidence that the latest problem will result in a lengthy absence.
The fact that Havertz was able to walk off the pitch under his own power provides some context, but it does not determine the severity of a muscular injury. Only the medical examinations can provide a clearer picture.
Arteta will therefore be hoping for positive news from Germany.
Arsenal have ambitions of competing on multiple fronts this season, and keeping key players fit will be essential throughout the campaign. Havertz has started the season as an important attacking figure, and his absence would create another selection decision for Arteta.
For now, though, the message is simple: Arsenal are waiting for the scan results.
Until those results are officially confirmed, supporters should avoid assuming the worst. The injury is a genuine concern, but the exact diagnosis and recovery timeline remain unknown.
