Arsenal are assessing their attacking options after Kai Havertz suffered a muscle injury while representing Germany.
Havertz was forced off during Germany’s match against the Netherlands and subsequently returned to Arsenal for treatment. The injury is another concern for the forward after he missed a significant portion of the previous season because of a knee problem.
Havertz had started Arsenal’s Premier League matches this season and had been trusted by Mikel Arteta in the attacking role.
His absence could therefore require Arsenal to adjust their attacking setup. Viktor Gyokeres is one obvious option, while Mikel Merino could provide another alternative depending on Arteta’s tactical approach.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal with considerable expectations and has already been competing for opportunities in attack. Havertz’s injury could provide him with a larger role if the German is unavailable for upcoming matches.
Merino offers a different profile. Rather than simply replacing Havertz position-for-position, Arsenal could change their structure and use different midfield and attacking combinations.
The severity of Havertz’s injury will ultimately determine how significant the issue becomes. Arsenal will be hoping that the problem is relatively minor and that he can return quickly.
The timing is particularly unfortunate because Arsenal have entered a busy part of the season. Injuries can place additional pressure on squads as domestic and European competitions begin to overlap.
Arteta will therefore have to manage his available players carefully.
Arsenal’s depth in attack will now come under greater examination. The club strengthened its squad during the transfer window, and this situation could provide an opportunity for other players to demonstrate their importance.
For Havertz, the priority will be recovering properly before returning to action. Arsenal will await further medical assessment before determining his expected absence.
