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Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is set for a slightly longer wait to return from the sidelines after suffering a setback in his battle to recover from a knee injury
Arsenal's injury woes are really mounting up as the Gunners have faced another setback, this time with forward Kai Havertz.
The German international has struggled for fitness over the past year, with a serious hamstring injury keeping him out for a large chunk of last season. While this campaign was set up for Havertz to battle with Viktor Gyokeres for the number nine role, a knee injury early in the season has kept him out of action.
There was some expectation that the forward would be back in action just after the November international break, which would have been ideal timing for the Gunners. Injury to Gyokeres and a lengthy knee problem for Gabriel Jesus have left Mikel Arteta with Mikel Merino as his main option up front, while their availability is still to be assessed.
Havertz could have helped solve that, but it now seems as though the Arsenal star is set for a little more time out to recover. That's after Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann revealed a fresh issue for the 26-year-old.
Speaking in a recent press conference, he said: "Kai [Havertz] had a minor relapse, but overall he’s doing well." He went on to add that there is an expectation that Havertz will return "towards the end of the [calendar] year."
Havertz wasn't able to reach full fitness in time to feature for his national team in their most recent set of World Cup qualifiers, which saw Germany seal their place at next summer's tournament.
Nagelsmann reinforced his support for Havertz and other injured stars, stating that they have plenty of time to get fit, with the next international break coming up in March.
It's a more immediate setback for Arsenal, however, with an important run of fixtures coming up for Arteta and his side in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup. The Gunners return to action on Sunday and are met with the north London Derby, right as several concerns persist over team selection for the crunch clash.
Gabriel Magalhaes is expected to miss out, as there is now an expectation that the defender could miss anywhere from a month to two months of action with a thigh issue. That's on top of doubts over Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and striker duo Gyokeres and Jesus.
After a busy summer transfer window, Arsenal have better strength in depth available, but that is going to be tested to the limit in the upcoming weeks. If they can get through matches against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in fine shape, then the Gunners will be in a good position to kick on.
That form could continue with some important players nearing a return from injury.
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