Arsenal have been dealt an injury blow following their 3-1 win over Southampton with top scorer Kai Havertz suffering knee issues
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has been ruled out of Germany’s two matches during the October international break due to “knee problems”.
The 25-year-old has been in excellent form so far this season and found the back of the net for the sixth time in 10 matches during Arsenal’s comeback win over Southampton on Saturday. Cameron Archer put the visitors in front at the Emirates but the Gunners responded with Havertz firing home the equaliser before Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka completed the turnaround.
However, it has now been reported that Havertz has picked up a knee injury and is set to sit out both of Germany’s National League games over the next two weeks. Julian Nagelsmann’s side travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday before hosting the Netherlands next Monday.
The German Football Federation said: “Kai Havertz will miss the upcoming international matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands due to knee problems. National coach Julian Nagelsmann nominated Jonathan Burkardt in Havertz’s place. Get well soon, Kai! We look forward to seeing you, Jonathan!”
According to Fabrizio Romano, Havertz is expected to be assessed by the Arsenal medical staff over the next couple of days. Mikel Arteta’s side are not back in action until Saturday, October 19 when they make the trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League, giving the ex-Chelsea forward extra time to recover.
But just like this recent block of fixtures, the Gunners face another hectic schedule after the international break. Arsenal face another seven matches in three weeks, with four Premier League fixtures, a Carabao Cup trip to Preston and two Champions League matches against Shakhtar Donetsk and Inter Milan.
As for Havertz, he has been excellent over the past six months after cementing himself as Arsenal’s first-choice No.9. He is one of their most important players right now and Arteta heaped praise on the forward, who has 15 goals and six assists in his last 24 matches for the Gunners, in his post-match press conference.
Arteta said: “You can tell [his confidence has grown], he takes the ball and he runs with the ball. He’s on high press, he goes full gas, the way he holds the ball, the position he takes in the box.
“He’s an attacking midfielder, he plays as a nine, you don’t know where he is, that’s his football brain. His focus now is ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going to do it’ and that’s a different thing.”