Arsenal forward Kai Havertz suffers a fresh muscle injury and now faces another extended period on the sidelines.
The Germany international picked up the problem during training, and medical staff confirm he will miss Thursday’s Premier League trip to Brentford.
The 25-year-old recently returned from a five-month absence following a knee injury sustained on the opening day of the season.
However, this latest setback places him in a race against time to feature in Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures.
Havertz is almost certain to sit out Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Wigan, and he remains a major doubt for the north London derby against Tottenham on 22 February.
With Wolves visiting the Emirates next week, the forward could miss up to four matches.
This injury continues a difficult spell for Havertz. In February 2025, he damaged his hamstring during a training camp in Dubai and required surgery, which ruled him out for the remainder of last season.
The recurring issues raise concerns about his fitness consistency, especially as Arsenal push on multiple fronts.
Manager Mikel Arteta now faces a mounting injury crisis. The Spaniard also lacks midfielder Mikel Merino, who recently underwent foot surgery.
Captain Martin Odegaard misses games with a muscle problem, while England winger Bukayo Sako remains sidelined.
Teenager Max Dowman also features on the absentee list after picking up an injury in recent weeks.
Arteta must now reshuffle his attacking options. With Havertz unavailable, the burden falls on Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard to lead the line.
The absence of key creative and goal-scoring personnel threatens to derail Arsenal’s momentum in both domestic cup competitions and the Premier League title race.
Havertz will undergo further assessment in the coming days, but early indications suggest a careful rehabilitation approach.
Arsenal prioritise long-term recovery over rushed returns, particularly given the player’s recent history of muscular setbacks.
Fans will hope Havertz regains fitness swiftly, but the immediate outlook appears bleak.
The Gunners must navigate a demanding fixture list without one of their most versatile attacking weapons.