Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is set for a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The 26-year-old Germany international was not part of an open training session at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday morning.
Assessments are at an early stage so the prognosis and duration of any lay-off is unclear.
Arsenal are, however, actively exploring the transfer market to potentially reinforce their attack and cover the absence of Havertz.
New signing Viktor Gyokeres is now the only recognised striker fit and available in Mikel Arteta’s squad. Leandro Trossard, who has recently agreed to a new contract with the club, has also featured there previously.
Gabriel Jesus, a more tried and tested option, is still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January and is not expected back for some time.
This is the second injury Havertz has sustained in 2025 after he suffered a hamstring tear at a training camp in Dubai in February. That ruled him out of 18 matches across the Premier League and Champions League, before he returned for two substitute appearances in Arsenal’s final two league games. During that absence, midfielder Mikel Merino also operated as a No 9.
Havertz replaced Gyokeres after an hour during Arsenal’s opening Premier League game on Sunday, a 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The German has played 88 times for Arsenal since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, scoring 29 goals.
Arsenal return to action on Saturday when they host Leeds United.
What this could mean for Arsenal and their attack
Analysis by Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas
Despite the signing of Gyokeres, Havertz has remained a big part of Arteta’s plans. He missed much of the second half of last season after undergoing hamstring surgery, and the decision to sign Gyokeres was made partly to ensure Arsenal would have sufficient depth and quality in the centre-forward position. If Havertz is out for a prolonged period again, it arguably puts them back where they started.
It’s now utterly essential that Gyokeres stays fit, and makes a swift adaptation to life in the Premier League. Currently, Merino and Trossard would be the Sweden international’s immediate back-ups.
The prognosis for Havertz may also have an impact on Arsenal’s plans in the remainder of the transfer window. If Havertz has to undergo surgery, or faces several months on the sidelines, they may have to consider re-entering the market to strengthen their attack.
(Photo: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)