Arsenal’s opening weekend joy has quickly turned into worry. The Gunners picked up three points against Manchester United, but now face a big problem. Star midfielder Kai Havertz has suffered another injury, leaving fans and the club concerned.
Havertz, who spent a large part of last season out with a hamstring injury, had only just returned. He came off the bench at Old Trafford in Arsenal’s slender win. Supporters hoped this would mark a fresh start for him. Instead, it has turned into a setback.
Reports from The Athletic reveal that the German international has picked up a knee problem. He was missing from Arsenal’s open training session at the Emirates on Wednesday. Early checks are still being carried out, so the full extent of the injury remains unclear.
The timing could not be worse. Arsenal are already missing Gabriel Jesus, who is also out with injury. This leaves Mikel Arteta short of attacking options as the season begins.
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Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres is currently the only fully fit striker. Arsenal paid £64 million to bring him in from Sporting Lisbon. He made his competitive debut against Manchester United but struggled to make an impact.
Arteta admitted that the striker needs to improve in some areas. Speaking after the game, the manager said:
“Well he did a lot of things very good. You can tell especially in our high press and rhythm that we demand, that especially in the first half we were giving a bit too much time. It is something that we have to work on him, especially there.”
These words show that Arsenal still see Gyokeres as a work in progress. While he has the physical presence, adjusting to the pace of the Premier League will take time.
With Havertz sidelined and Jesus out, the club has been forced into action. Reports say Arsenal are preparing an emergency transfer move for another forward. The aim is simple — to avoid a repeat of last season when injuries cost them momentum in the title race.
One name linked is Real Madrid forward Rodrygo. Speculation grew after he was left out of Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Osasuna. Some believed it was a sign of a potential move.
However, Real boss Xabi Alonso quickly dismissed those rumours. He explained Rodrygo’s absence was simply tactical.
“These are match decisions. The way the match was going, we needed another profile. There have been no decisions for the future. Nothing is going on,” Alonso insisted.
He continued to stress that Rodrygo is still a key part of his plans. “It’s just one game. We shouldn’t read too far into the future. I’m counting on him this season.”
This makes a deal for Rodrygo look very difficult. But Arsenal’s urgent need means they could still push for a surprise move before the transfer window closes.
Another player linked earlier this summer was Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. However, Arsenal may have already missed out on him. Eze is reportedly close to joining Tottenham, their North London rivals.
This makes Arsenal’s situation even more complicated. They cannot afford to waste time, but their options in the market are shrinking fast.
Fans are now debating what the club should do. Some argue that Arteta should place more trust in young players, while others insist that another proven striker must be signed quickly.
Arsenal are preparing for their first home Premier League game of the season. After the victory against United, they will face newly promoted Leeds United at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
It will be a big test for Gyokeres, who will likely start. Supporters will be watching closely to see how he responds after a quiet debut.
For Havertz, the road back looks uncertain once again. The German has had a tough time since joining Arsenal, and another injury may affect his confidence. His absence is not just a loss in terms of goals but also in creativity and pressing from midfield.
Mikel Arteta is known for demanding high standards. This latest setback will test his ability to adapt quickly. Arsenal’s dream of finally winning the Premier League title may depend on how well they handle this crisis.
As the transfer window ticks down, the pressure on Arsenal’s board is growing. Fans are waiting to see if the club can pull off a last-minute signing to keep their title hopes alive.
One thing is certain: Arsenal’s season has already been thrown into early drama. What looked like a strong start has turned into another reminder of how fragile a title challenge can be when injuries strike.
