Arsenal can save millions on Kai Havertz transfer replacement after injury crisis continues

No Arsenal player with more than 10 minutes of Premier League football had a higher points per game than Kai Havertz last season. That is what Mikel Arteta and his new-look recruitment team are trying to find a suitable alternative to.

It is not yet known how long the German is going to be sidelined for after picking up a knee injury which threatens to derail the start of his 2025/26 campaign, but Arsenal's actions are telling. They are now in the market for another attacker having dropped out of the race to sign Eberechi Eze earlier this summer.

With a striker market that has fluctuated from overcrowded and complicated to being a two-way standoff, the next steps are not clear. Arsenal have a No.9 in Viktor Gyokeres but no obvious natural backup when Havertz is unavailable.

Already this window there have been moves for Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko, and Hugo Ekitike elsewhere. Now it is Alexander Isak and Liverpool playing a game of poker.

Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson are still at Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, but their futures are not set in stone as the final two weeks run down. Arsenal are now back in the mix to add a forward, but what profile will it take the form of?

Rafael Leao, Rodrygo, and Ademola Lookman have all played there before but are flexible enough to move to the wing as well. That may well be the sort of player Arsenal look for as they seek to guard against having too many options when Havertz is fit but not enough whilst he is away.

In this respect, and looking towards the visit of Leeds United on Saturday night, there are ways around filling in for Havertz. For starters, Gyokeres is going to be the main man.

He got the nod away to Manchester United and was the priority signing for Andrea Berta. Arsenal are not trying to replace him, more add depth and cover around him if Havertz cannot be relied on.

The answer last season was Mikel Merino. Ideally, Arsenal would not need to turn so quickly back to their midfield reinforcer but he remains a useful and unorthodox focal point.

Merino was thrown in from mid-February as Arteta's preferred striker when all else was missing. He did an admirable job but was also never viable in the long run.

Heading into a Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain with a midfielder who had been uncomfortable in his first six months in England up front is no way to seriously compete at the very top. Neither is throwing in Ethan Nwaneri.

Arteta has described him as being a potential striker of the future, such is his movement, the cleanness when striking the ball, and finishing ability. Nwaneri is still a teenager, though, and offers much more to Arsenal from deep than he does when in the middle of three attackers.

Leandro Trossard is another player who Arteta has tried there previously. He is already a squad player who goes in and out, which could make him ideal to plug and play against weaker teams.

The Belgian has a strong record of output and shoots well off both feet. With more competition for a spot on the left through Noni Madueke, he could get extra minutes behind Gyokeres up front.

Then there is the academy option. Andre Harriman-Annous went to Asia with the senior squad. He did not make the matchday group away to United or in the last friendly against Athletic Club but was present for the Villarreal game.

Albeit unused for that clash, the 17-year-old did get 15 minutes from the bench against Newcastle United. It would still be quite the promotion from Hale End Under-18 to deputising for Gyokeres.

The uncertain element to all of this is Gabriel Jesus. He is recovering from yet another injury himself but will return at some point this season. He has only scored two goals against teams not called Crystal Palace since January 2024 (19 months), so would be a significant risk to bank on getting back to full fitness and contributing immediately.

Ultimately, if Havertz's injury was to be short-term then there are already three main ways around signing a direct replacement for him. Even if Arsenal did want to buy a left-winger to strengthen the position, it would only go to push Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli - who has been stuck through the middle on occasion before as well - further towards Gyokeres as genuine and regular cover.

It could save the club millions. The question is whether or not it would be adequate in such a key position.

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