Arsenal’s hopes for a triumphant run in the Premier League and FA Cup have taken a significant hit, as Kai Havertz, their versatile German forward, is set for another spell on the sidelines due to a muscular injury. The timing couldn’t be worse for Mikel Arteta’s squad, with a series of crucial fixtures looming and the Gunners locked in an intense title race.
Havertz’s latest setback was confirmed on February 11, 2026, just days before Arsenal’s pivotal Premier League clash with Brentford. The 26-year-old is now expected to miss not only the Brentford game on February 13 but also the FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic on February 15, the league encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers next week, and perhaps most painfully for fans, the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur on February 22. That’s up to four matches where Arsenal will be without one of their key attacking options—a blow that could reverberate through the team’s ambitions for silverware.
It’s a cruel twist for Havertz, who only recently returned to action after a lengthy absence. The German international missed the majority of 2025, first tearing his hamstring during a training camp in Dubai in February, which required surgery and sidelined him for the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Just as he was regaining his rhythm, a knee injury on the opening day of the current season against Manchester United forced him out for another five months. His return last month brought a much-needed boost to Arsenal’s attack, as he featured in the last four games, notching two goals and two assists—including a memorable late winner against his former club Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final on February 3.
Manager Mikel Arteta has made no secret of Havertz’s importance to the side. After a standout performance in the Champions League against Kairat Almaty, where Havertz scored and assisted before halftime, Arteta praised his impact: “The team knows how important Kai is for us and how he can help the team to be much better and take the team to another level. Let’s bring him on board and make sure we use him in the right way because he is going to be really important for us in the second part of the season.”
Havertz’s recent deployment has seen him take on a deeper midfield role, a tactical shift that has paid dividends. In the February 7 league match against Sunderland, he provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres, who went on to score twice in Arsenal’s 3-1 win. Arteta explained his thinking: “Well, I suppose with the kind of game that we expected as well and the way they play and the type of threat that we wanted to create as well with him and Gabby in and around the three central defenders. So, yeah, something as well that we have to use because we have very different qualities from Kai to Martin or to Ebs or another attacking midfielder.”
But with Havertz now sidelined, Arteta’s tactical flexibility will be tested. The Gunners’ injury list is growing at the worst possible moment. Mikel Merino, brought in to add steel to the midfield, is out for months following foot surgery. Arteta provided an update on Merino’s situation: “The doctors were really happy with the way it went. The time frame we’re talking about is months, whether it’s three, four or five, I don’t know.” Max Dowman is inching closer to a return after an ankle injury that’s kept him out for several months, but he’s not quite ready yet. Meanwhile, doubts linger over captain Martin Odegaard, England star Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard, all of whom have been dealing with minor knocks in recent weeks.
This cluster of injuries couldn’t have come at a more critical juncture. Arsenal are currently battling at the summit of the Premier League, with Manchester City breathing down their necks. City’s dramatic win over Liverpool and subsequent victory against Fulham have cut the Gunners’ lead at the top to just three points. Arsenal have a golden opportunity to restore a six-point cushion with a win over Brentford, but doing so without several key players will be no small feat. The following week’s fixtures against Wolves and then rivals Tottenham could shape the entire complexion of the title race.
And let’s not forget the FA Cup, where a tie against League One side Wigan Athletic provides a chance for squad rotation. Yet, with so many first-teamers sidelined, Arteta’s options are limited. The manager may be forced to rely on less experienced players or tweak his formation to compensate for the absences. In such moments, the depth and resilience of a squad are truly tested. Arsenal’s young talents will need to step up, and the likes of Viktor Gyokeres—who carried much of the attacking burden earlier this season—may be called upon again to deliver the goods.
Havertz’s injury is being described by club sources as “not thought to be as serious as previous ones,” bringing a glimmer of hope that his latest absence might be measured in weeks rather than months. Still, the timing is undeniably disruptive. The German’s form since returning from injury had begun to silence some of the doubts about his fit in the Premier League and within Arteta’s system. His ability to operate between the lines, link play, and contribute both goals and assists had injected fresh impetus into Arsenal’s attack. For a side chasing glory on multiple fronts, every edge matters—and losing Havertz, even temporarily, is a setback.
Looking back, Havertz’s journey with Arsenal has been anything but straightforward. Since his arrival, he’s faced skepticism, injuries, and the pressure of living up to a hefty transfer fee. Yet, in flashes, he has shown why Arteta and the club hierarchy were so keen to bring him to North London. His knack for big moments—like that late Carabao Cup winner against Chelsea—has endeared him to fans, and his adaptability has given Arteta valuable options across the front line and midfield.
As Arsenal prepare for this daunting run of fixtures, the focus will shift to how they can adapt and overcome. The Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint, and every squad faces adversity. The next few weeks will reveal whether Arsenal have the depth, belief, and tactical nous to weather this storm and remain at the forefront of the title race.
For now, all eyes are on the medical updates, the return timelines for Havertz and his fellow injured teammates, and the response of those fit and ready to don the red and white. The coming matches will be a true test of Arsenal’s mettle—and perhaps, a defining chapter in their 2025-26 campaign.