Arsenal face major injury blow ahead of their Premier League title contention in 2024/25

According to the official statement released by Arsenal Football Club, they expect their in-form striker in the ongoing season, Kai Havertz to be ruled out for the rest of the season. The German international sustained a hamstring injury and needs surgery. Following the surgery, the rehabilitation will run until the preseason of the 2025/26 season, making the player unavailable for the remainder of the season. The absence of Kai Havertz is light on the attacking department, which is already under duress in the absence of Bukayo Saka. 

The club statement read: 

We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week. Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days. 

Talking about the player's return, the club rallied behind Kai Havertz and mentioned that they would support him in gaining full fitness as soon as possible. The statement read: 

Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparation s for next season. "Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.

Will Arsenal rue the missed opportunity in the January Transfer window? 

From the start of the season, regardless of Kai Havertz’s form, the Gunners were in search of a striker. With limited traditional strikers available in the market, they did not want to overspend in summer but in January, they had the likes of Victor Osimhen and Marcus Rashford available in the transfer market. With them opting against shelling money for a striker, Mikel Arteta might rue the missed opportunity to secure an attacker who could have bolstered their title challenge in the ongoing season. 

Who will Arsenal play next? 

Arsenal are seven points behind the league leaders in the ongoing campaign and are up against the relegation-battling Leicester City in the Premier League fixture on Saturday. The Foxes desperately need a win like the Gunners but for different reasons. It remains interesting to see the attacking combination that Arsenal will go within the absence of Havertz.