Arteta Admits Havertz Has Been a “Huge Miss” in Injury-Hit Arsenal Season
Sports Updated: 02 May 2026 14:03 EAT
Kai Havertz injured himself against Newcastle United
Mikel Arteta has delivered a frank and emotionally charged assessment of Kai Havertz’s disrupted season, describing the German midfielder as a “huge miss” for Arsenal as the club continues to battle through a demanding campaign marked by injuries to key players.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s crucial Champions League second-leg tie against Atlético Madrid, Arteta highlighted the significant impact Havertz’s absence has had on the team’s attacking structure and overall consistency throughout the season.
“He’s been a huge miss - we’re talking about one of the most important attacking players we have, and he’s been out for seven or eight months,” Arteta said, underlining just how long Arsenal have been without one of their key offensive figures.
The Arsenal manager stressed that Havertz’s absence has not been an isolated setback, pointing to a wider injury crisis that has affected multiple first-team players over the course of the campaign.
“Unfortunately, he’s not been the only one with long-term injuries and players who have been missed,” Arteta added, acknowledging the broader challenges that have forced constant reshuffling within the squad.
Despite these setbacks, Arteta was keen to praise the resilience and mentality of his players, insisting that the team has managed to stay competitive even under difficult circumstances.
“The team has shown an incredible capacity to overcome these kinds of scenarios and still be very, very competitive,” he said, highlighting the squad’s adaptability in the face of adversity.
Havertz’s prolonged absence has been particularly felt in Arsenal’s attacking transitions, where his movement, technical quality, and versatility have been missed in both domestic and European competitions.
The German international has endured a stop-start period at the club due to injuries, preventing him from building momentum or fully cementing his role as a consistent starter in Arteta’s system.
Arsenal have been forced to rely on rotation and tactical adjustments, with other attacking options stepping in to fill the gap left by Havertz, but without fully replicating his unique contribution.
As the team prepares for a decisive European fixture, there is cautious optimism surrounding Havertz’s recovery, though his involvement remains uncertain and dependent on final medical assessments.
Arteta’s comments reflect both frustration at the timing of injuries and quiet pride in his squad’s ability to remain competitive at the highest level, even while missing some of their most influential players.
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FELIX MAKONA
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