Arsenal faces setback with Kai Havertz injury as return date extended
Arsenal has received a new injury update, with Mikel Arteta expected to be without a pivotal player until 2026.
Arsenal’s injury situation remains concerning. According to a recent article from The Telegraph, 17 players from Arsenal’s 25-man roster have missed at least one match due to injury or suspension—indicative of a continuation of their misfortunes from the previous season.
The club’s aspirations for the title are now under increasing scrutiny, as Arteta faces a critical injury crisis in defense. This threatens to disrupt their Premier League title pursuit during the packed festive calendar. Ben White’s hamstring injury, incurred during the game against Wolves, marks the latest severe setback, with scans indicating that the England international will be sidelined for a minimum of a month.
The 28-year-old experienced pain while tracking back during Saturday’s intense 2-1 win, visibly grabbing at his left hamstring. His absence is particularly disheartening, coming just after he had managed to return from ongoing knee issues that plagued him last season. White’s injury exacerbates an already delicate defensive scenario for Arsenal.
Gabriel Magalhaes has been out of action since the international break in November, after playing for Brazil, with his return not anticipated until late December or possibly into the new year. Cristhian Mosquera is facing a similar recovery timeline, as his ankle injury has proven to be more severe than initially thought. The versatile Spaniard might be absent for another six weeks, according to the BBC, with his return expected around late January to early February. The combination of these injuries presents significant tactical challenges for Arteta, as both White and Mosquera offer essential versatility at right-back or right-centre-back. Arsenal currently lacks clear alternatives to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
This situation necessitates reliance on younger academy players, Marli Salmon and Josh Nichols, who have both recently participated in first-team training, despite their lack of extensive experience. Additionally, the 15-year-old talent Max Dowman has been added to Arteta’s worries after suffering ankle ligament damage in an Under-21 match against Manchester United, sidelining him for approximately two months. Meanwhile, Kai Havertz is in the midst of an extended recovery from the knee injury he sustained in August, having initially hoped to be fit for the North London derby against Tottenham back in November.
Kai Havertz sidelined until early to mid-January following injury setback. However, after hitting a setback, the prognosis now suggests a longer recovery period.
According to The Mail’s Isaan Khan this afternoon, Havertz is expected to be out until early to mid-January, meaning he will miss the festive fixture schedule and must wait until after the new year to return.
The 26-year-old has been a significant absence for Arteta and will continue to be following this latest news. The German international has been missing since August, removing a vital element from Arsenal’s attacking options. Havertz brings unique skills as a false nine who can drop deep to facilitate play while also displaying the technical prowess to navigate through defensive lines. In contrast, Viktor Gyokeres has found it challenging to mirror Havertz’s all-around contribution, despite his goal-scoring achievements, managing just six goals across all competitions and appearing isolated during Arsenal’s recent sluggish performances.
The Swedish forward’s limited contribution against Wolves, where he completed just three passes, underscored Arsenal’s struggle to generate chances in the absence of Havertz’s movement and ability to link up. As Arsenal faces an arduous schedule of nine fixtures in December and January across various competitions—including pivotal matches against Everton, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Aston Villa, and Liverpool—Havertz’s ongoing absence forces Arteta into difficult team selection decisions during a critical time when squad depth is essential.
Published: 2025-12-18 18:35:00
source: www.footballfancast.com
