Stretched to the limit: why hamstring fails are curse of the Premier League

Academics and medics are working to understand why hamstring injuries are keeping players sidelined for longer.

Arsenal striker Kai Havertz will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire

he sight of a player pulling up with a hamstring injury has become all too familiar in the Premier League. Weary muscles are being stretched to the limit by an expanding calendar, but dealing with more games is not the only challenge for medical departments.

It is not that there has been a sudden explosion. It can simply seem that way when high-profile players such as the Arsenal forwards Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz are long-term absentees.