Havertz picks up second Champions League booking, but new rule offers reprieve
Kai Havertz is now two yellow cards into Arsenal's Champions League campaign, but a change to UEFA's disciplinary rules means the German forward is further from a suspension than he would have been in previous seasons.
Havertz was booked in the 13th minute of Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night for a foul on Josip Stanisic. It was his second caution in the competition this term, having also picked up a yellow in the 3-0 win over Lille on matchday two.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
The draw in Munich saw Arsenal drop their first points of this season's league phase. Eberechi Eze's goal was allowed to stand following a VAR check to give Mikel Arteta's side the lead, before Alphonso Davies and Harry Kane turned the game around for the hosts. Declan Rice then equalised in the 82nd minute to salvage a point.
The result leaves Arsenal on seven points after three games, still unbeaten in the competition alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Real Betis, Stuttgart and Bayern themselves.
What the new rule means
Under the previous disciplinary system, a player would be suspended for one match after picking up three yellow cards before the Champions League quarter final stage. That threshold has now been raised to four, with suspensions also triggered by any subsequent even numbered booking (the sixth, eighth, and so on).
UEFA confirmed the change applies from the start of this season's league phase, stating: “As from the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after four yellow cards, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent even numbered yellow cards (sixth, eighth, etc). This is a new rule change as of the start of the 2026/27 season, with players in previous seasons suspended after three yellow cards.”
That means Havertz would need to pick up two more bookings before facing any risk of missing a Champions League fixture through suspension, as reported by the Evening Standard.
What's next
Arsenal return to Champions League action against Slavia Praha on November 4, before back to back home fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at the Emirates on matchdays five and six.
With those heavyweight clashes approaching, having Havertz available and in the right disciplinary standing will matter to Arteta's planning, even if the forward is some way off any immediate danger under the revised rules.
