Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern after Kai Havertz was forced off during Germany’s Nations League clash with the Netherlands on Thursday night.
Havertz started Jürgen Klopp’s first match in charge of Germany at the Johan Cruijff ArenA but lasted only half an hour before being replaced by Younes Ebnoutalib.
The Arsenal forward appeared to be experiencing discomfort at the back of his leg before Germany’s medical staff signalled that he could not continue.
There is not yet a confirmed diagnosis, but the early signs will inevitably concern Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s return to Premier League action.
Kai Havertz forced off after 30 minutes
Havertz initially appeared to be hurt following an incident involving Netherlands midfielder Quinten Timber, the brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber.
Goal reports that Havertz subsequently grabbed the back of his thigh before going down and receiving treatment.
Germany’s medical staff then indicated that a substitution was required.
Ebnoutalib replaced the 27-year-old in the 30th minute.
The precise nature and severity of the problem remain unclear.
The Sun reports that Havertz appeared to indicate to Germany’s medical staff that the issue was his hamstring, although that should not yet be treated as a confirmed diagnosis.
Further assessment will therefore be required before Arsenal know whether Havertz faces any spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal face anxious wait over Havertz
The timing is particularly frustrating for Arsenal because Havertz had started the season strongly.
He has scored three times in seven competitive appearances and had established himself at the front of Arteta’s attack before joining Germany for international duty.
Read Arsenal previously reported how Jürgen Klopp’s international-break plan appeared to hand Havertz and Arsenal a fitness boost.
Havertz was due to feature only in Germany’s opening section of the international programme before returning to north London earlier than several of Arsenal’s other internationals.
Thursday night’s injury changes the picture.
Arsenal are not back in Premier League action until they host Leeds United on 10 October, giving Havertz more than two weeks to recover if the problem proves minor.
However, any hamstring injury would immediately create another selection issue for Arteta.
Havertz joins Arsenal injury watch
Arsenal already have several players whose fitness is being monitored during the international break.
William Saliba remains in longer-term rehabilitation, while Declan Rice withdrew from England duty and Jurrien Timber has had his Netherlands workload carefully managed.
Havertz’s situation must now be added to that list.
Our Arsenal international break tracker will continue to follow the fitness and minutes of Arteta’s players while they are away with their countries.
The immediate priority will be confirmation from Germany or Arsenal regarding the nature of Havertz’s problem.
Until that arrives, it is safest to describe this as an apparent muscular injury rather than a confirmed hamstring problem.
For Arsenal, though, the sight of one of Arteta’s most important attackers leaving the pitch after only 30 minutes is an unwelcome development.
Martin Odegaard Opens Up on Arsenal Injury Nightmare After Stunning Revival
Martin Odegaard Opens Up on Arsenal Injury Nightmare After Stunning Revival
Arsenal Hand Emily Fox New Three-Year Contract
Arsenal Women