An injury expert has given his verdict on how long Kai Havertz could be sidelined after sustaining a knee injury, with footage of the incident now emerging. The attacking midfielder was expected to play a key role for Arsenal this season following his remarkable physical transformation earlier this year.
Havertz had often been used at centre-forward over the past two seasons, but with the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres in the summer, there were high expectations for him to shine again in his more natural number 10 role. However, after suffering a hamstring injury back in February that required surgery and forced him to miss much of the rest of the campaign, it has taken just one game of the 2025/26 Premier League season for him to pick up yet another setback.
Arsenal’s immediate, knee-jerk reaction was to swoop for Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace - snatching Tottenham’s top transfer target from under their noses. That move alone hinted Havertz could face a lengthy spell out, but an injury expert has now offered further clarity on what is yet another fitness headache for Mikel Arteta, as he chases Arsenal’s first Premier League title in over two decades after three successive runner-up finishes.
Injury Expert Casts Verdict on Havertz Injury
Kai Havertz for Arsenal vs Newcastle
Physio Scout, who correctly predicted Rodri’s ACL injury last September, took to social media to share their thoughts on Havertz’s latest setback. While the X account admitted the exact cause of the 26-year-old’s injury isn’t entirely clear, they believe it stemmed from a heavy challenge by Manuel Ugarte during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United on the opening weekend. Watch the suspecte d incident below:
"A direct hit to the outer knee often leads to a bone bruise, painful contusion, or a capsule sprain," the injury expert explained after reviewing the footage. Offering more detail on what Havertz may have sustained, though, they added (see full post below):
"In more severe cases, it can place stress on the MCL. The latter could likely be the case here. Potential Recovery Times: Grade 1 MCL: 1-3 weeks Grade 2 MCL: 3-6 weeks Grade 3 MCL: 6-10 weeks If bone bruise/contusion: 1-2 weeks only."
This could see Havertz sidelined anywhere from one to 10 weeks. But with fixtures against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Newcastle all crammed into the next five weeks, Arsenal couldn’t afford to take any risks. That’s why they moved quickly to hijack Tottenham’s pursuit of Eze.
Eberechi Eze in action for England
The £68 million signing of the England international takes their net spend to the highest in the Premier League this summer, ahead of both Man City and Liverpool.
Having already sealed deals for Gyokeres, Cristian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke, no acquisition has stirred quite as much jealousy among rivals as Eze. It’s a statement move, and the reaction alone suggests that the attacking midfield role left vacant by Havertz is being passed into very capable hands.