Kai Havertz Injured As Arsenal’s Attacking Options Dwindle

Arsenal’s attacking plans have taken another hit after Kai Havertz was ruled out with a knee injury, leaving Mikel Arteta short of forward options just one week into the new Premier League season.

According to The Athletic, Kai Havertz will spend a spell on the sidelines after sustaining the setback, though the club’s medical team has yet to provide a timeline for his return.

The 26-year-old German international was absent from Wednesday’s open training session, fueling concerns about the seriousness of the injury.

Havertz came off the bench during Arsenal’s opening-day victory against Manchester United, replacing new £72 million signing Viktor Gyökeres. The same switch had paid off in the preseason when Havertz netted in the Emirates Cup clash with Athletic Bilbao.

But with Gabriel Jesus still recovering from an ACL injury suffered at the start of the year, Arsenal’s striking depth is again being tested.

Havertz already missed large parts of last season with a hamstring problem, forcing Arteta into makeshift solutions. Midfield addition Mikel Merino enjoyed a stint up front earlier this year, while Leandro Trossard has also been used as a false nine when required.

Gyökeres, signed from Sporting Lisbon to ease the burden, now carries the weight of expectation as he adapts to life in England.

The injury has pushed Arsenal back into the transfer market in search of attacking cover. However, many of the summer’s top striker targets have already been snapped up.

Liverpool moved for Hugo Ekitike while Manchester United secured Benjamin Sesko. Options that could still be explored include Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.

Arsenal’s transfer business has already been busy, with over £200m spent on reinforcements, including Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Cristhian Mosquera and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But with Havertz sidelined, the question is whether the Gunners will dig deeper into their budget for what could be a short-term solution.

For now, Arteta must reshuffle his squad as Arsenal prepare to face newly-promoted Leeds United on Saturday, hoping their injury crisis in attack does not derail another promising campaign.