Arsenal’s attacking sensation Kai Havertz is injured. He suffered a knee injury in Arsenal’s season opener against Manchester United on August 17, 2025. He’s since been out of Arsenal’s next Premier League game vs. Liverpool and Germany’s World Cup qualifiers in September.
What We Know of Kai Havertz being Injured?
Date of injury: Early August, on the game against Manchester United.
Type of injury: Knee problem with swelling.
Immediate consequence: Misses Arsenal–Liverpool game. He will be absent from squad for qualifiers of Germany in September.
Who is Kai Havertz?
Kai Havertz, a 26-year-old German national player who currently plays for Arsenal FC. He is a versatile player who can play as a striker, second striker or even as an attacking midfielder.
He came through Bayer Leverkusen’s academy and made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 17. Kai became one of the most promising German talents because of his technical elegance and calmness on ball. In 2020, Havertz joined Chelsea. He scored the winning goal in UEFA Champions League final against Man City in 2021. The 26-year-old made a huge money move to Arsenal in 2023. Mikel Arteta tried to make him an important man of his tactical plans.
Kai is not an out-and-out striker. He is well known for his smooth ball control, awareness and link-up play. Kai Havertz can be easily included in the category of modern-day fluid attacker.
Major updates:
Germany national team director Rudi Völler confirmed Havertz will miss the qualifiers.
Arsenal is weighing whether he requires surgery or if recovery can be achieved through rest and rehab.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stated they require “a bit more time and some more tests” to establish the next course of action.
Why This Matters?
Havertz had been in good shape, having overcome a significant hamstring injury he picked up earlier this year that took him out for several months. His comeback for the season’s opening match had raised hopes—now, his absence reduces the team’s attacking options to thin pickings.
Arsenal’s Response:
To fill the gap, Arsenal acted fast in the market:
The Gunners finalized the £67.5 million capture of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
Furthermore, Ademola Lookman of Atalanta is also in the equation as a utility attacking signing.
Another name that comes up is Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, whose services Arsenal is looking for depth for before the transfer window expires.
Arsenal are also looking at other positions—such as deploying midfielder Mikel Merino or Leandro Trossard in a false nine formation—to cope with the near-term gap in attack.
👕🔴 With Kai Havertz out for a while with a knee injury, Arsenal are reportedly 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 the market again to strengthen their attack. 🛒
Who would you sign? ❓🧐 pic.twitter.com/E1kmqmiTLJ
— 433 (@433) August 20, 2025
What Fans Are Saying?
Reactions from the fans reflect a blend of anxiety and hope.
Some says, “We now have the squad to cope with this… we have so many attacking options….”
— A supporter assures the fanbase that Arsenal has depth to adjust.
Another supporter mentioned:
We don’t know anything about his surgery. There’s nothing new in this update.”
— Highlights that the situation is still developing.
What’s Next for Havertz?
Testing and evaluation continue to determine whether or not surgery will be necessary or conservative care will suffice.
Return timeline still unclear. Once scans and assessments are finalized, more information will be known
Why It Feels So Hard to Watch?
Havertz has been a crucial asset, with 15 strikes across all competitions last season–even missing out on three months with injury. He couldn’t score goals as much as he was expected but he became an important player with his linkups.
His versatility–as attacking midfielder or striker–makes his goal-scoring presence and leadership even more sorely missed.
Author’s Insight: Bottom Line
Kai Havertz’s knee problem is a big setback for Arsenal and Germany. The choice of surgery is not yet decided. The club is taking action by making signings and adjusting tactics. Supporters eagerly observe, waiting for a quick and complete comeback.