Kai Havertz injury fears confirmed as Arsenal update released before Liverpool clash | Football | Sport
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will undergo surgery after picking up a knee injury earlier this month, according to reports. The former Chelsea man has struggled with injuries as of late, having missed the back half of last season with a hamstring problem. Mikel Merino was forced to deputise as a makeshift striker in the German’s absence.
Last week, it emerged that Havertz had suffered a new injury when he was nowhere to be seen during an open training session. He was subjected to further tests and did not feature in Arsenal‘s big win over Leeds United on the weekend. Now, it has been reported that he will undergo surgery on his knee and will be sidelined for a little while.
Arsenal‘s medical team have decided that an operation is the best course of action, according to The Athletic. The report states that Havertz will undergo a minor procedure and is only expected to miss ‘a single-digit number of weeks’.
It comes after Mikel Arteta said that Havertz would need to have ‘further tests’ to determine the extent of the problem and the length of his absence.
“Mentally, he’s in a good space,” added the Arsenal boss. “He’s really a strong boy, very committed. He had an incredible recovery from the hamstring surgery [last season].
“He never had an injury before so it was his first experience, really. Now he’s got a setback. Let’s see how bad it is but I’m sure he’s going to react in the best way possible.”
It leaves Viktor Gyokeres as the only fit and available recognised striker in Arsenal‘s current squad. Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from a serious knee ligament injury and is not expected to return for a while.
He is stepping up his rehabilitation, though, and has been doing ball work on the grass at Arsenal‘s training ground. Earlier this week, the Brazilian took to social media with a video of himself carrying out some individual training.
Jesus captioned the post: “It’s been seven months of pain, uncertainty, and anxiety. Today, I finally feel light — like a child playing football again. God is great.”
Leandro Trossard has played up front when required to deputise in the past and will be able to fulfil that role against Liverpool this weekend. Gyokeres will almost certainly start as the early Premier League title favourites go head-to-head at Anfield.
Martin Odegaard is another injury doubt for the Gunners after hurting his shoulder against Leeds. Bukayo Saka also faces a race against time to be fit for the Liverpool game, having pulled up with a hamstring issue in the same fixture.
Eberechi Eze, meanwhile, could make his Arsenal debut against the Reds after being unveiled as their newest signing before kick-off against Leeds.
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