Arsenal Football Club is reportedly worried about the potential setback of their forward, Kai Havertz, following his return from a long-term injury. The German player’s 2025-26 season has been largely characterized by careful injury management rather than consistent on-pitch performance.
Havertz entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations after establishing himself as a key attacking figure under Mikel Arteta in the previous season. However, his progress was abruptly interrupted in February 2025 due to a severe hamstring injury sustained during a mid-season training camp. This unfortunate incident ruled him out for the remainder of that campaign.
Despite starting off the current season with hopes of making a fresh start and featuring in the opening weekend against Manchester United, Havertz soon faced another hurdle. He developed a knee problem that necessitated surgery in August 2025. Although initially described as minor by Arsenal and expected to cause only brief absence from play, this issue has proven more problematic than anticipated.
Rehabilitation challenges and renewed concerns
While there was initial optimism surrounding Havertz’s recovery process, it hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped for. After resuming training towards late 2025 and being named among substitutes for several December fixtures including Aston Villa fixture, his knee issue re-emerged shortly afterwards. According to an article cited by Isaan Khan from Daily Mail, Havertz’s knee “flared up” again causing renewed concerns among Arsenal’s medical and coaching staff about his long-term fitness prospects. The club is now wary of potential consequences if these setbacks continue without proper management.
In response to these concerns, Arsenal have adopted a cautious approach towards managing Havertz's workload both during training sessions and matches. They believe this strategy will increase the chances of having him available later in the season without risking further complications.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's manager, is understood to prefer short appearances and strict load management for Havertz rather than rushing him back into a regular starting role. This approach aligns with Arsenal’s broader strategy this season as they strive to balance fitness concerns with their ambitions across multiple competitions. Despite these challenges, Arsenal remains in a strong position leading the Premier League by seven points. They have also secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages and hold a first-leg advantage away at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
