Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal are “desperate” to have Kai Havertz back in the squad but confirmed the German forward is still weeks away from returning, describing how he is visibly “suffering” through the final stages of his hamstring rehabilitation. The Arsenal manager provided the downbeat update during his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace at the Emirates.
“Kai is not ready yet. We are desperate to have him back because he gives us something different, but right now I see him suffering in training,” Arteta told reporters. “It will take weeks, not days. We have to be patient because pushing him too early would be a disaster.”
The 25-year-old has missed the last five matches after picking up the injury during the 5-2 Premier League win over West Ham in late November.
The Arteta “Kai Havertz suffering” comments paint a picture of a player pushing himself to the limit in the gym at London Colney, with club sources confirming Havertz has been putting in extra sessions almost daily despite clear discomfort.
Medical staff are reportedly managing the load carefully to avoid the kind of setback that kept him out for six weeks earlier in the season with a similar issue.
Arsenal’s attacking options have looked blunt without the versatile German, who had contributed eight goals and four assists before the latest setback.
The team has managed only three goals in the five games he has missed, relying heavily on set-pieces and individual brilliance from Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard. Arteta acknowledged the void, saying, “When Kai plays, we have more presence in the box, more unpredictability. Everyone sees the difference.”
Havertz himself posted a short clip on Instagram on Monday showing light jogging and ball work, captioned with a single hourglass emoji, but Arteta poured cold water on any immediate comeback.
“He wants to train with the group; he wants to play every minute, but the scans and the feeling are not there yet,” the Spaniard explained. Club physios are targeting a return sometime after the busy Christmas period, potentially for the North London derby on January 15 if there are no complications.
The injury has reignited debate among fans about Arsenal’s depth in the number nine role, with Gabriel Jesus also nursing a minor groin problem and Eddie Nketiah still regaining sharpness after his layoff.
Arteta, however, refused to rush either player, insisting long-term availability matters more than short-term patches during the festive schedule that sees the Gunners play seven matches in 22 days.
Medical experts following the case note that high hamstring injuries often require six to eight weeks for full tendon recovery, especially for explosive athletes like Havertz who rely on sprinting and deceleration.
“The fact Arteta uses the word ‘suffering’ tells you Kai is feeling pain on certain movements. That’s the body protecting itself,” said sports physiotherapist in a radio interview.
For now, Arteta and his staff must manage without one of their most important players, hoping the final “weeks” of suffering lead to a fully fit Havertz storming back in the new year. The manager’s honest assessment has at least set clear expectations: Arsenal fans will have to wait a little longer to see their German star back doing what he does best.
