According to ESPN, Arsenal fear that Kai Havertz has suffered a severe hamstring injury, which could rule him out for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old German forward sustained the injury during a training session in Dubai, where the squad was on a midseason break.
Havertz is set to undergo further tests within the next 24 hours to assess the full extent of the damage. The Arsenal squad returned to London on Tuesday, and medical evaluations are now underway.
Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to provide an official update during his press conference on Friday ahead of their weekend clash against Leicester City in the Premier League.
However, sources close to the club indicate that Arsenal are deeply concerned about the seriousness of the injury.
If confirmed, Havertz’s absence would be a significant blow to the Gunners, especially with Gabriel Jesus already sidelined for the remainder of the season due to knee surgery.
The injury crisis has put Arsenal’s lack of transfer activity under the spotlight. The club opted not to sign a new striker in the January transfer window, despite their attacking limitations.
Arteta had previously expressed disappointment about missing out on reinforcements, with reports suggesting Arsenal failed in a £40 million bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Long-term targets such as Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak were also deemed unavailable.
Havertz has been a crucial figure for Arsenal this season, often filling in as a central forward despite his natural attacking midfield role. Arteta previously described him as a “genetic powerhouse,” hinting that he could compensate for the club’s lack of striking options.
With crucial fixtures ahead, including Premier League and European commitments, Arsenal now face an uphill battle to maintain their title challenge.
The absence of a recognized striker could force Arteta to turn to alternative options like Leandro Trossard or academy talents.
Arsenal will be hoping for positive news from Havertz’s medical tests, but initial reports suggest they are bracing for the worst.