Havertz returns to Arsenal as Sky Sports News flags injury
Kai Havertz is back at Arsenal for assessment after a muscle injury on Germany duty, according to Sky Sports News, while Jude Bellingham won England's player of the year award again and the Nations League buildup continues ahead of England versus Spain.
Key Takeaways
- Havertz left Jurgen Klopp's Germany camp for Arsenal treatment after going off in the first half of a 1-1 Nations League draw with the Netherlands.
- Klopp said Havertz and Jamal Musiala were undergoing MRIs and were "probably out" of the remaining international window.
- Bellingham was named England men's player of the year for a second successive season.
- England prepare to host world champions Spain at Wembley in the Nations League.
Why did Kai Havertz leave the Germany camp?
Sky Sports News reported that Havertz suffered an injury in the first half of Germany's Nations League opener against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, a 1-1 draw, and is returning to Arsenal to be assessed. The forward pulled up after a challenge from Quinten Timber and was substituted for Younes Ebnoutalib. The issue is understood to be a suspected muscle strain, and he will miss the rest of the international window while Arsenal treat him.
The Guardian's live football blog said the German FA confirmed a scan identified a "muscle sprain," describing a hamstring problem, and that Havertz had left Klopp's squad. Early indications across reports were that the setback is not thought to be serious. Arsenal resume Premier League action at home to Leeds on Saturday 10 October, leaving more than two weeks before that fixture.
Germany manager Jurgen Klopp also lost Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala to a suspected thigh issue. ESPN reported Musiala was a late warm-up withdrawal with a muscle injury, while Havertz went off in the 30th minute. "Both are currently undergoing an MRI," Klopp said. "I hope it's nothing serious. The lads are probably out for us. But hopefully, they'll be back in action relatively quickly." Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Burkardt were called up as replacements for Germany's next game, per Sky Sports.
What does Havertz's injury mean for Arsenal?
According to Sky Sports analysis, Arsenal are optimistic Havertz avoided a serious injury, though the timing is uncomfortable after summer efforts to add another striking option fell short. Havertz has started six of Arsenal's eight games in all competitions this season, scoring three goals, but has a recent history of knee, muscle, and hamstring setbacks. Viktor Gyokeres would be the club's main out-and-out striker if Havertz is unavailable, with Mikel Merino also used in the role. For more market-style alerts and roundups, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts hub.
How does the Nations League buildup look for England?
Beyond the Germany camp news, The Guardian reported that Jude Bellingham scooped the England men's player of the year award for a second successive season. "It's a huge honour to be recognised by the fans again," Bellingham said, calling it "a beautiful little addition to the great summer we had."
England face Spain at Wembley as Nations League fixtures continue. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente framed the trip as unfinished business after the World Cup, while Harry Kane stressed momentum against top sides and said this was his "best chance so far" of winning the Ballon d'Or. Full club-return detail is in Sky Sports' Havertz report.