What does future hold for Havertz after season blighted by injury?

Breaking news from the world of sport: What does future hold for Havertz after season blighted by injury? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Kai Havertz has made just 20 appearances for Arsenal this season By Alex Howell Arsenal reporter Published 33 minutes ago "A genetic powerhouse", and a "robust" player who has "destroyed metrics in the gym" are ways Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described Kai Havertz. But in the past year the Gunners have not been able to call on the Germany forward's talent nearly as much as they would like.

Havertz has been restricted to just 20 appearances this season, after a knee injury sustained on the opening day kept him out for four months, along with smaller muscle injuries which have broken up his campaign. The injury issues for Havertz started when he picked up a hamstring injury on a winter training camp in Dubai in February 2025 which required surgery and kept him out for three months. Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres in the summer for £64m with the aim of both players competing for the starting striker spot.

Match Details

But Havertz suffered a knee injury in the win against Manchester United in August and was out for four months after another surgery. After recovering from that knee injury Havertz has had two setbacks, the latest of which ruled him out of Arsenal 's 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. And he has completed just one full game this season - the 2-1 defeat by title rivals Manchester City last month.

So what does the future hold for Havertz at Arsenal ? Injuries and one of Arteta's favourites Havertz has said that this season is not what he "expected it to be" and has been "stop and start". The 26-year-old also said earlier this campaign that it was a new experience going through a major injury and he "hasn't really faced a challenge like this before".

He looked disappointed by the latest setback when he was taken off after just 34 minutes of Saturday's 1-0 win against Newcastle United . The Gunners have been criticised for their attacking play this season and their reliance on set-piece goals. Havertz is one of Arteta's favourite players on and off the pitch and they have missed his ability to link play.

Reactions and Expectations

Since his return he has played as both a midfielder and a forward, and Arteta has missed having that versatility when Arsenal are trying to break sides down. Havertz has three goals and one assist in five Champions League games this season and scored the winner in Arsenal 's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting. He has only started one game in Europe though, against Kairat Almaty in January, but came off at half-time as he built up match fitness.

Despite his availability issues, Havertz has five goals and four assists in 20 appearances, giving him a goal involvement of nearly one every two games which highlights how Arsenal miss him when unavailable.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.