Kai Havertz's first full season at Arsenal has been marred by injury, raising questions about his role in the squad. Despite being described by manager Mikel Arteta as "a genetic powerhouse" and a player who has "destroyed metrics in the gym," the Germany international has been limited to just 20 appearances this campaign.
Havertz's troubles began with a hamstring injury during a winter training camp in Dubai in February 2025, requiring surgery and three months on the sidelines. Arsenal responded by signing Viktor Gyokeres for £64m, aiming to create competition for the striker spot. However, Havertz then suffered a knee injury in August against Manchester United, keeping him out for four months after another surgery. Even after recovery, he has faced two further setbacks, most recently missing Arsenal's Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Havertz has completed only one full game this season—the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City. He described his campaign as "stop and start" and admitted that dealing with major injuries has been a new challenge for him. His latest setback came when he was substituted after 34 minutes in the 1-0 win against Newcastle United, looking visibly disappointed.
Despite the struggles, Havertz remains a favorite of Arteta for his on-field and off-field contributions. He has played both as a midfielder and a forward this season, offering versatility that Arsenal have missed when trying to break down opposition defenses. He has three goals and one assist in five Champions League games, including the winner in the quarter-final first leg against Sporting.
With his season blighted by injury, Havertz's future at Arsenal is uncertain. The club's heavy investment in Gyokeres and criticism of their attacking play—relying heavily on set-piece goals—suggest that Havertz will need to prove his fitness and form to secure a regular starting spot next season.