Arsenal winger Kai Havertz has been said to have picked up a muscular problem during the team’s mid-season warm-weather training camp in Dubai, as Mikel Arteta’s attacking fitness concerns continue to grow, MySportDab Reports.
The injury to Havertz, which the Daily Mail described as “worrying,” is said to be hamstring-related but the full details of its severity are not yet known. Arsenal’s medical team are said to be worried by the severity of the issue, which emerges after his club returned from a mid-season break and comes at a crucial part of the campaign.
The Gunners already have a depleted forward line to contend with. Bukayo Saka has not played since December because of a tear in his hamstring, while Gabriel Jesus is out for the season after tearing an ACL in a loss in the FA Cup to Manchester United in January.
Gabriel Martinelli is also out because of a hamstring injury he picked up as Arsenal were knocked out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals by Newcastle.
Despite some criticism for his finishing, Havertz has become an important part of the Arsenal team in the current campaign, scoring 15 goals in all competitions — the highest goals tally of any Arsenal player.
If he is unavailable, it would leave Arteta with only three healthy attacking options, being namely Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
Nwaneri, meanwhile, has impressed with seven goals in all competitions, while Trossard has been a key part of the Gunners’ front line. Sterling, though, has struggled on loan, starting only three games in the Premier League.
The mid-season Dubai training camp has worked wonders for Arsenal in the past, with the Gunners winning nine of their next ten games on the back of such a trip last year. But the preparations for this year have been beset by injury.
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign continues with a visit to Leicester City on Saturday and a home match against West Ham United the following weekend.