Kai Havertz's season is over after the Arsenal forward suffered a hamstring injury during their Dubai training camp. 

The 25-year-old will undergo surgery, and his recovery will extend into the 2025-26 pre-season. 

This blow leaves Arsenal without a recognized striker, compounding their existing injury crisis. Havertz, the team's leading scorer with 15 goals and five assists in 34 appearances this season, joins a lengthy injury list that includes Gabriel Jesus (ACL), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), and Gabriel Martinelli (hamstring). 

Manager Mikel Arteta, already frustrated by the club's lack of January transfer activity after a failed bid for Ollie Watkins and missed opportunities with other targets like Alexander Isak and Evan Ferguson, now faces a severe shortage of attacking options.

 Prior to this, Arteta had suggested Havertz might be required to play every remaining game, with alternatives being wingers like Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling, and Ethan Nwaneri. 

The injury occurred during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai following their EFL Cup semi-final defeat. 

Despite a similar mid-season break last year sparking a successful run, Arsenal, currently second in the Premier League, face a significant challenge to maintain their title push, now seven points behind Liverpool.