Julian Nagelsmann has revealed that Kai Havertz has suffered an injury setback as he continues his recovery from knee surgery earlier this season.
The Arsenal forward was injured in the opening week of Premier League action in August, and underwent a minor surgical procedure that has kept him out ever since.
But as Havertz has worked on building back his fitness, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is thought to have been preparing to welcome the Germany international back into the squad after the November international break.
Havertz’s national team coach Nagelsmann however had a different idea of his timeline, revealing that the former Chelsea star had hit a bump in the road of his recovery in recent weeks.
‘Kai (Havertz) had a minor relapse, but overall he’s doing well,’ Nagelsmann shared on Tuesday afternoon.
The former Bayern Munich manager added that he believes Arsenal will be able to call upon the star ‘towards the end of the (calendar) year.’
Kai Havertz is believed to have had an injury setback as he prepares to return to competition
Havertz has endured a checkered season-and-a-half after a promising debut season at the Emirates, with a persistent hamstring injury keeping him out for spells during the 2024-25 campaign.
But as frustrated as the player is likely to be, Arteta will also find the news challenging, as it comes on the same day as disappointing injury news about another of his players.
Brazilian star Gabriel picked up a thigh issue during his side’s friendly against Senegal at his club’s stadium last week, appearing in some discomfort as he disappeared down the tunnel accompanied by medical staff.
Daily Mail Sport understands that the defender – who has played a key role in helping maintain the side’s excellent defensive record this season – could be out for as long as two months.
Arsenal will welcome their loathed rivals Tottenham to the Emirates when the Premier League returns this weekend for the north London derby.
But Arteta could yet be without a number of stars, with Riccardo Calafiori returning from national team duty with Italy ahead of schedule in a bid to safeguard his fitness.
Fitness question marks also loom over players including Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arsenal have conceded just five goals in their 11 top flight matches so far, and sit four points clear at the top of the Premier League tree.
But Arteta and Co face a fearsome run to Christmas, with ties against neighbours Spurs and Chelsea, and a Champions League showdown against Bayern Munich, in the coming weeks.
