Kai Havertz, the talented forward for Arsenal, faces an extended absence due to a muscle injury. This setback means he will miss the highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on February 22.
Recent Injury History
Havertz has been no stranger to injuries over the past year. He returned to action last month after a prolonged absence that began with a hamstring tear during a training camp in Dubai in February 2025. Since his return, he has played in four matches, scoring twice and providing two assists.
Upcoming Matches
Before the derby, Arsenal will compete in three other fixtures:
- Versus Brentford on Thursday
- Against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Sunday
- Facing Wolverhampton Wanderers next Wednesday
Havertz is expected to miss all these matches.
Team Impact and Other Injuries
This injury compounds Arsenal’s challenges as the team also faces the absence of key players. Mikel Merino is sidelined for months following foot surgery, alongside other notable absentees like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Merino’s recovery timeline could stretch between three to five months.
Recent Performances
Havertz made his return from injury during the FA Cup victory over Portsmouth on January 11, playing more than 20 minutes. His initial start of the season came against Kairat Almaty in the Champions League, where he made a significant impact by scoring and assisting despite being substituted at halftime.
Arteta praised Havertz’s importance to the team, emphasizing his potential impact in the latter part of the season. He even noted Havertz’s match-winning goal against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final on February 3.
As the season progresses, Arsenal fans will eagerly await Havertz’s return to full fitness, hoping he can contribute to the team’s success once again.
