Mikel Arteta confirms Kai Havertz's season-ending injury after training setback

Arsenal's forward crisis deepens as Havertz joins growing injury list, with Arteta considering free-agent options.

Kai Havertz and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux, on January 25, 2025, in Wolverhampton, England. Photo by David Price/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that forward Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury during training. The setback occurred when Havertz attempted to block a shot during a session in Dubai, where the team had been on a mid-season training break.

The German international, who has played a crucial role in Arsenal’s attacking setup, is set to undergo surgery and is not expected to return until pre-season. Speaking about the incident, Arteta described it as an unfortunate and unexpected blow.

"He was going to stop a shot after a set-piece and stretched his leg, and he felt his hamstring," Arteta explained. "We were having a great camp in Dubai, recharging, training, and reconnecting with nature in a different environment. And then the injury happened in a very unexpected way."

Arsenal's attacking options dwindle

Havertz's absence further depletes Arsenal’s attacking options, with Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli also sidelined due to injuries. This leaves Arteta with limited choices, relying on Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri as the club's only recognized forwards.

Throughout the season, Arsenal has struggled with injuries to key players, including Ben White, Martin Odegaard, and Riccardo Calafiori, all of whom have missed extended periods.

Arteta expressed concern over the increasing intensity of the game and its impact on player fitness.

"We've had players who have played 130 games in the last two seasons. It's an accident waiting to happen when you continue to load, load, and load," Arteta said. "The intensity is at a different level, and the demands in terms of minutes in this competitive environment are getting higher. The number of muscle and tendon injuries is higher than ever."

Injury concerns across the football world

The issue of fixture congestion and rising injury rates has been a topic of debate among footballers and managers. Manchester City captain Rodri previously warned that players were "close" to going on strike due to the increased workload caused by UEFA’s revamped competitions and FIFA’s Club World Cup.

Just a week after his comments in September, Rodri suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, ruling him out for at least six months.

Arteta highlighted the challenges posed by the relentless match schedule, emphasizing the toll it takes on players.

"We're very limited, and we're training less than ever. There's no time for training," Arteta said.

Arteta considers free-agent options

With the January transfer window closed, Arsenal will need to explore alternative solutions to address their attacking shortage. Arteta confirmed that signing a free agent remains a possibility.

"I'll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there," he said.

Are muscle injuries increasing?

While Arteta and other managers have voiced concerns about rising injury numbers, data from Premier Injuries founder Ben Dinnery suggests a different trend.

"The narrative is that injuries are going through the roof this season, but they are actually not," Dinnery told BBC Sport's Football News Show. "In terms of time-loss absence, we've actually seen a reduction season-on-season over the same period compared to 2023-24 by roughly 13%."

However, Dinnery acknowledged a rise in muscle injuries, particularly hamstring strains, which are becoming more severe and leading to longer recovery times.

"When we took the 2023-24 season in isolation, looking at the previous four on average, we've seen an increase in hamstring injuries—certainly at the severe end—by about 65%," he explained. "By severe, we mean hamstring injuries that are likely to keep a player out for more than 30 days. That isn't an outlier; numbers this season are continuing on that trajectory."

With Arsenal in the thick of a competitive Premier League campaign and European commitments on the horizon, Arteta must navigate a crucial period with a weakened squad. The Gunners' ability to adapt and cope with these setbacks will be key in determining their success in the months ahead.