Arsenal are in pursuit of their first league title since 2004. But their title aspirations have taken a major blow due to the ongoing injury crisis within the club. Kai Havertz has sustained a new muscular injury during a crucial period. This setback leaves the squad thin as they prepare for major fixtures ahead.
Kai Havertz faces another injury
As per reports, the German forward has picked up a muscle injury. The club has not shared full details, but he is set to miss several weeks. The setback came just as he was finding form again after five months out with a knee problem. Medical staff expect him to stay sidelined for the rest of February.
As a result, he missed the 1–1 draw away at Brentford on Matchweek 26. He will also miss the FA Cup meeting with Wigan Athletic. In addition, he is likely to miss the Premier League away game with Wolves. The biggest blow is the north London derby against Tottenham. Fans are now hoping for a potential return for the match against Chelsea on March 1. Football is a game that tests depth and stamina. Managing his fitness will be vital in the final stretch of the season.
Arsenal are dealing with other injury problems as well. Mikel Merino will be out for months after foot surgery. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are also doubtful for the next matches.
History of Kai Havertz’s injury struggles
The current situation adds to the long list of worries around Kai Havertz. He has had a tough year with injuries and fitness problems. He missed the end of last season after tearing his hamstring during a training camp in Dubai in 2025.
Furthermore, a knee injury sustained against Manchester United on the opening day kept him out for most of the first half of this season. The £65 million signing has often been sidelined. By the end of this month, he will have missed 53 of Arsenal’s 101 games since the start of last season.
Before this latest setback, Havertz was getting back to his best. He scored two goals and made two assists in six games after returning on January 11, including the goal against Chelsea that sent the Gunners into the Carabao Cup final.
🚨🔴 Arsenal are balancing a demanding schedule with several injury dilemmas 👀
William Saliba is a doubt for the Wigan game due to illness, while Kai Havertz is set to miss the rest of February with a muscular problem ❌
Mikel Merino faces a long-term recovery of up to five… pic.twitter.com/DvIhM13MuH
— Goaldata – Arsenal Zone (@ArsenalZNE) February 13, 2026
How can Mikel Arteta manage this setback?
The loss of Kai Havertz makes things harder for the coaching staff. He had recently moved into a deeper midfield role to help the attack in wins over Leeds United and Sunderland. This change allowed Gyokeres to roam more freely as he bagged two goals in the match against Sunderland, with one of the goals set up by Havertz himself.
However, Mikel Arteta must now find a different solution to keep the team balanced in attack. Eberechi Eze could step into the number 10 role and add creativity. Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus are both fit and ready to lead the line. Meanwhile, the return of players like Leandro Trossard could provide valuable depth to the squad. Youngster Max Dowman is also close to returning from an ankle injury, but he still needs time before he is match-ready.
Arsenal must keep up their strong form at the top of the table despite these setbacks. Arteta will need to make smart choices and use his squad wisely.
What’s next for the Gunners?
The next few weeks will test the squad’s strength. Arsenal have shown they can compete even without Kai Havertz for long spells this season. Still, they must stay sharp in front of goal and stick to their game plan to keep pace in the title race. There are also fresh reports that if Arsenal fail to win a trophy this season, Mikel Arteta could face pressure over his job. Fans are now waiting for medical updates as the derby against Tottenham Hotspur draws closer.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
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