Havertz ruled out for rest of the season
Arsenal confirmed that striker Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury during the team's Dubai training camp.
The Gunners have said that Havertz will undergo surgery to repair the issue, and is expected to continue his rehabilitation into pre-season for the 2025-2026 campaign.
It leaves Mikel Arteta without a recognised striker for the remainder of the campaign, which could prove significant in their Premier League title challenge against Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus had surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, while Bukayo Saka also remains sidelined after going under the knife for a hamstring issue in December.
Havertz is Arsenal's leading scorer in the Premier League this season with nine goals, three more than second-placed Gabriel Martinelli, who could also be out for the Gunners.
Martinelli picked up a hamstring injury in Arsenal's Carabao Cup second leg defeat to Newcastle, and is reportedly out for at least a month, only adding to Arteta's woes.
Havertz's injury has only compounded Arsenal's misery, after failing to bolster their attacking options during the January transfer window, something that left Arteta "disappointed".
The Gunners had a bid rejected for Ollie Watkins, while reported interest in Alexander Isak, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Evan Ferguson failed to materialise.
"We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week," Arsenal said in a statement.
"Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days.
"Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations 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."
Arsenal returns to action in the Premier League this Sunday, travelling to the King Power Stadium to face struggling Leicester City, with Arteta now short of options up front.
Arteta suggested Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri could feature in a more central role until the end of the season, which seems even more likely now.
