Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has claimed that Arsenal are "among the top favourites" to win the Champions League after the Bundesliga side were paired with the Premier League leaders in the last-16 stage of the competition.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is set for another spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury. The Germany international has missed most of the 2025-26 season so far with various fitness issues, and is now expected to sit out several further matches, including next weekend's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, due to a fresh problem.
Arsenal are into the final of the Carabao Cup after beating Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday, prevailing 4-2 on aggregate. The Gunners showed little attacking appetite at the Emirates having entered the game with a lead to protect, and ultimately their visitors didn't ask enough meaningful questions to ever put their place at Wembley in serious doubt.
Kai Havertz marked his first start in almost a year with a goal and an assist as Arsenal made it eight wins from eight in the Champions League with a 3-2 success over Kairat Almaty to seal their spot as league phase winners. Havertz, whose last start came 357 days ago, showed the Gunners exactly what they had been missing when he set up Viktor Gyokeres for an early opener before adding a second himself with a fine run and finish after Jorginho had equalised for the visitors from the penalty spot.
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League last weekend by picking up a point at Nottingham Forest while their only two title rivals, Manchester City and Aston Villa, both lost. However, the dour 0-0 draw at the City Ground, which was only enlivened by a late row over a disputed penalty shout, raised some serious questions over the visitors' attacking threat, given it was their second consecutive scoreless stalemate, after being held at home by Liverpool the week before.
Arsenal have been left concerned over the long-term fitness of Kai Havertz after the striker sustained a setback in his recovery from a knee injury. The Germany international sustained the issue against Manchester United in August and has not started for the club since.
Arsenal's match with Liverpool will be played in its own dedicated slot within this midweek round of Premier League fixtures. It will receive maximum exposure both domestically and abroad. There will be no hiding place for any player that sets foot on the Emirates Stadium pitch on Thursday, not least the Gunners' marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
Arsenal are edging closer to a significant injury lift after Mikel Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz is on the brink of returning to action. The German forward, absent since undergoing knee surgery in August, is now just days away from rejoining the squad, offering renewed depth and flexibility as the Premier League leaders prepare for a demanding festive schedule.
Arsenal’s injury problems have deepened after Kai Havertz suffered a frustrating setback in his recovery, delaying his long-awaited return until mid-January. The German forward had been just one week away from rejoining the Gunners' matchday squad before suffering yet another setback in training, dealing Mikel Arteta another blow during a congested title run-in.
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has revealed that he has ended his long-running feud with Arsenal star Kai Havertz in bizarre circumstances. The beef started three years back when Havertz was still at Chelsea, and in the last few years the two players have often become embroiled in physical clashes during matches. However, Burn has now cleared the air with his long-time rival.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are major doubts for a London derby meeting with Brentford on Wednesday night. Both players missed the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the weekend. Arteta also delivered updates on Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes as they remain in the treatment room with more serious knocks.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has issued a concerning update on Arsenal star Kai Havertz. The German forward has not played for the Gunners since picking up a knee injury in a training session following their season opener against Manchester United. Havertz subsequently underwent surgery, but no firm return date has been set, and his recovery could take longer than expected after this new setback.
'The Bundesliga Tax'. It's a phrase that has become more prominent amongst supporters over the past decade or so, used to describe the growing trend of players who have lit up the German top-flight who have been sold to Premier League clubs for big money, only to fail to replicate that same form when arriving in England.
Marco Silva has rejected claims that Arsenal are suffering an injury crisis, using his pre-game Friday press conference ahead of his Fulham side's Premier League clash with the Gunners to highlight the strength of Mikel Arteta's squad. The Gunners will be without a bevy of attacking talent for the fixture, with Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all absent.
Mikel Arteta has dropped a bombshell update on Kai Havertz's injury while admitting that Arsenal "really miss" the German forward. Havertz is currently sidelined due to a knee issue he picked up during an Arsenal training session last month. Injuries have disrupted the start of Arsenal's 2025-26 campaign, and Havertz is not due back any time soon.
Kai Havertz managed just half an hour in Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 victory against Manchester United on the first weekend of the new Premier League season before picking up a knee injury. It was previously expected that the Germany international would be absent for a longer period, but the forward is set to return to action soon after he decided to undergo surgery.
