Report: Arsenal's Havertz out for season after hamstring tear in training

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring during the team's training camp in Dubai, report David Ornstein and James McNicholas of The Athletic.

It's unclear if the German international will require surgery, but his focus has already switched to getting fully fit for the start of the 2025-26 campaign, according to Ornstein and McNicholas.

The injury is the latest in a series of significant blows to Arsenal's title bid.

The Gunners sit second in the Premier League and six points behind leaders Liverpool while being tormented by ailments to various players, particularly up front. Bukayo Saka is expected to be out until March after having hamstring surgery in December. Gabriel Martinelli is likely to miss a month while nursing a hamstring issue of his own, and Gabriel Jesus is out long term after damaging his left ACL last month.

Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and teenager Ethan Nwaneri are the only recognized forwards currently available for Mikel Arteta. Trossard, who's played in a central role before, is the most likely option to take up that position if Arteta opts to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Havertz, though himself not a natural No. 9, was fulfilling that role admirably for Arteta this season, scoring 15 goals and registering five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.

The 25-year-old has played more minutes than any Arsenal forward since the start of the 2023-24 season.

"Genetically, he is a powerhouse. He is so well-built," Arteta told reporters earlier this month when asked if Havertz could potentially start every remaining game this season. "He is a player that anything you ask him, he is happy to do: to run in zone six, to be very robust, to make long distances. His body absorbs everything. And then he really looks after himself."

Arsenal attempted to sign another forward during the January transfer window but ultimately came up empty. They reportedly submitted a £60-million bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins but didn't make any progress beyond that point.

Arsenal, after a rare weekend off, return to Premier League action Saturday against Leicester City.