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Arsenal's Kai Havertz has been quiet on his hamstring injury...until now.
Arsenal has been bitten by the injury bug worse than perhaps any other Premier League team and the last injury to Kai Havertz was the tipping point.
The Gunners now have no recognized strikers that are fit.
When you are in the middle of a title race, that isn't ideal and yes, Arsenal had its chances to sign players in January and opted against it and now that is the bed they must lay in.
With Havertz out for the season, it is up to the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri...and now Mikel Merino to pick up the slack.
In the 2-0 win over Leicester City, the Gunners were horrible in front of goal until substitute Merino hit a quick-fire double to seal the win.
As for Havertz, he posted on X post-surgery and gave his thoughts as he comes to terms with being sidelined for the rest of the year.
“The last few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally,” Havertz wrote. “But yesterday was a good day. A successful op and a win 🙌🏼 Thanks for all the messages of support over the last few days, it’s really helped. I’m now focused on my journey to full fitness and giving all the support I can give to the team in the background.”
With Havertz out, Sterling and Trossard where tasked with being the offensive forces for Arsenal against the Foxes and while Trossard teed up Merino for his second goal, Sterling produced perhaps the worst performance from an Arsenal player all year.
He lasted 70 minutes before being replaced and now Mikel Arteta has a decision to make ahead of Arsenal's clash against West Ham with Merino's two-goal haul likely in his thinking.
Or does he give Sterling another chance? Based on what we saw against Leicester, that is a resounding no, but unfortunately, the Gunners need all the healthy players they can get as they look to keep pace with league leaders Liverpool.
As for Havertz, he was Arsenal's leading goal-scorer prior to his injury and one could make the case that had he been more prolific, he might be into the mid-20s and high on the Premier League Golden Boot table.
But now, he's focused on his rehab and will have to watch his team fight for the league title from the couch.