Arsenal could be without a key striker this weekend.placeholder image
Arsenal could be without a key striker this weekend. | Getty Images
Leeds United travel to Arsenal this weekend but the hosts have been handed a fresh injury blow.
Arsenal could be without striker Kai Havertz against Leeds United this weekend with a fresh injury blow confirmed ahead of the Saturday evening clash.
The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Despite picking up three points, Mikel Arteta’s side were criticised for a lack of potency in front of goal.
That’s a familiar struggle for Arsenal, who splurged £55 million to bring Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium this summer. Last season, the north London side scored 17 fewer goals than league champions Liverpool.
Arsenal dealt Kai Havertz injury blow
The Gunners were not helped by the absences of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz for large periods last term. The latter came off the bench to play 30 minutes against Manchester United but has now picked up a fresh injury blow.
Taking to social media platform X on Wednesday, The Athletic reporter David Ornstein wrote: “Arsenal forward Kai Havertz set for spell out with knee injury. Assessments on 26yo Germany int’l at early stage so prognosis + duration unclear but #AFC actively exploring transfer market for signing to strengthen attack & provide cover.”
It’s a worrying update for Arsenal with Havertz having missed 12 Premier League matches in a vital point of the season between February and May last season with a hamstring issue. The forward did return to top flight action for the final two matches of the season.
Havertz had enjoyed a strong pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The forward was particularly impressive against Newcastle United, providing the assist for Mikel Merino before forcing an Alex Murphy own goal as his side came from behind to win 3-2. He was also on the scoresheet in the 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Mikel Arteta relishing Gyokeres and Havertz competition
It had been touted that Havertz could start ahead of Gyokeres in the opening fixture against Manchester United, but the 26-year-old ended up settling for a place on the bench. Arteta had been relishing the competition for a starting role.
He said: “It's always good. I play with 11 players, there are going to be some players on the bench that are going to be used, some others that cannot be used, some players that we're going to have to leave in the stands. That's the next level that we're going to face, something that we probably haven't faced before. I've heard a lot that you have two players per position, well we have three and four because there are players that can play in different positions as well.
“It's going to be about earning the right to play, to compete and when you don't have the chance to do that, to cooperate in the right way with any teammate to improve the level. It's going to happen to all of them because the season is going to be so demanding that the first week is going to be a little bit different. But the moment we start to play three times a week, it's going to flow in a really natural way.”
Arsenal face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in the 5:30 pm kick-off on Saturday. Daniel Farke’s side will arrive buoyed by opening weekend victory over Everton. Then, it’s a huge trip to Anfield for Mikel Arteta’s side on August 31. It remains to be seen whether Havertz recovers in time to face Liverpool but early signs do not look promising.
In other news, Arsenal could get cut-price superstar for £51m as Fabrizio Romano highlights Eze alternative.
Continue Reading