Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described Kai Havertz’s hamstring injury as “an accident waiting to happen” as the midfielder is now set to miss the remainder of the season.

Havertz picked up the injury while defending a set-piece during the Gunners’ winter training camp in Dubai. The 25-year-old will now undergo surgery, leaving Arsenal with a major selection headache in attack.

The setback is compounded by Gabriel Jesus’ ongoing knee injury, which has ruled him out until next season. Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are also sidelined, further weakening Arteta’s attacking options.

Speaking about the situation, Arteta admitted the loss of key players is frustrating but called on his squad to rise to the challenge.

“It’s a big blow, obviously, because of the injuries that we have. But fortunately, we’ve been through a lot this season,” Arteta said.
“We have played without Gabriel Magalhães, without William Saliba, without Ben White all season, Takehiro Tomiyasu all season, [Riccardo] Calafiori two months, [Mikel] Merino two months, Martin Ødegaard two months, Bukayo Saka three months, Gabriel Jesus, all of them.
"So that’s it. That’s the challenge ahead. Love it and look forward because we are still where we are."

With Arsenal still in the thick of the Premier League title race and competing in multiple competitions, Arteta’s squad depth is about to be tested like never before.

Opinion: Can Arsenal Survive This Injury Storm?

There’s no doubt that losing Havertz, Jesus, and potentially Saka and Martinelli is a massive blow for Arsenal. With no recognized No. 9 available, Arteta will have to be creative with his tactics—possibly deploying Leandro Trossard in a central role or tweaking the system to rely on midfielders for goals.

However, this moment could define Arsenal’s season. The best teams don’t just rely on their star players—they find ways to win no matter the circumstances. Arteta’s “love it and look forward” mindset reflects a team that refuses to dwell on setbacks.

The coming weeks will reveal whether the Gunners truly have the resilience of champions or if injuries will derail their ambitions. Can Arsenal fight through this crisis and stay in the title race? The pressure is on, and every game from here on out will be a test of character.