Kai Havertz's season-ending injury 'happened in a very unexpected way' as Mikel Arteta lays down gauntlet to Arsenal's walking wounded

The injury to Havertz adds to Arsenal’s growing list of fitness concerns. This season has already seen Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka struggling with their own injury problems and the latest setback is a serious concern for Arteta as he is left with only three recognised forwards - Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling.

Havertz will undergo surgery in the next few days and is likely to return ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

"He was going to stop a shot after a set piece and stretched the leg and he felt his hamstring," Arteta said. "We were having a great camp in Dubai, recharging, training, having some time off and connecting again with nature and a different environment. And then the injury happened in a very unexpected way, certainly. So it's a big blow, obviously, because of the injuries that we have. Yeah, he was going to stop a shot after a set piece and stretch the leg and he felt his hamstring."

Despite the latest setback, Arteta admitted his team must adapt their playing style, adding: "There are certain things that we're going to have to adapt and again, it brings another opportunity as well because you're going to have in the front line players that are very unpredictable, so good in one-vones, very creative, very sharp and it's going to give different headaches as well to the opposition."

Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker during the January transfer window has placed additional pressure on Arteta to find solutions within his squad. With Havertz out and no new attacking reinforcement, the Gunners may be forced to utilise players in unfamiliar roles or consider a free-agent signing to bolster their attacking options. When asked about the possibility of a new signing, Arteta confirmed the club is assessing all available options.

"I'll explore every possible situation and make a decision from there," he said.

The Gunners must now navigate the remainder of the season without Havertz, beginning with an away trip to Leicester City on Saturday. Following that, they face a tough test against West Ham United at the Emirates on February 22.