Kai Havertz injury upends Arsenal transfer plans

The new Premier League season is barely a week old but Arsenal may already have a serious injury to worry about. Forward Kai Havertz did not participate in an open training session at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday because of a knee injury, the severity of which is currently unclear. The Gunners are currently in the early stages of making a prognosis but that has not necessarily stopped the higher-ups from preparing for life without Havertz in the long-term.

Arsenal are reportedly actively looking for a replacement for Havertz in the transfer market, according to The Athletic, likely a recognition of the fact that they would be very thin in that department if the German international has to spend a chunk of the season on the sidelines. Viktor Gyokeres started over Havertz in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Manchester United and was likely to get the nod as the Gunners’ forward this season anyway, but there is no one else to provide cover, especially so as Gabriel Jesus continues to work his way back from an ACL injury.

It is unclear who Arsenal would target if they needed another forward on the roster, though the Havertz news provides flashbacks to last year even after splurging for Gyokeres in an effort to leave those issues in the past. Injuries to Jesus and Havertz meant Mikel Merino played the role in the later stages of the season, really highlighting the need for an out-and-out goalscorer.

If the injury is a serious one, it would mark a rough year for Havertz. He picked up a hamstring injury during a warm weather training session in Dubai in February and made only two substitute appearances for the rest of the season, playing a total of 33 minutes along the way. He played 30 minutes on Sunday at Old Trafford, coming on for Gyokeres as Arsenal hung onto their first half lead.