Havertz

KAI HAVERTZ has undergone knee surgery – leaving Arsenal with just ONE fit recognised striker.

The 26-year-old has been out since picking up an injury in training – days after a 30-minute cameo off the bench in a 1-0 opening-day win over Manchester United on August 17.

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SunSport understands that Havertz has shared his time between London Colney and his native Germany, being assessed by doctors to determine the severity of the issue.

And the Gunners have since decided to take precautionary measures with Havertz going under the knife for the second time in six months.

A club statement read: “Further to sustaining a knee injury after our recent game against Manchester United on 17 August, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews with Kai confirmed that surgery would be required.

“Today, Kai underwent a successful minor surgical procedure.

“He will shortly begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

It means Havertz will miss crunch Prem clashes against Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle, as well as the start to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign next month.

Havertz had a hamstring operation back in February that saw him only return for the final two games of last term, but this minor procedure is not expected to keep him out for a similar period.

It now leaves boss Mikel Arteta relying on summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line without any back-up for at least the next few weeks.

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Gabriel Jesus – Arsenal’s third-choice No.9 – is also still on the recovery table, expected to return towards the end of 2025 after an ACL reconstruction in January.

However, Arsenal are confident that they have the squad to deal with the absence, hijacking Tottenham’s £68m deal for Eberechi Eze last week 24 hours after Havertz’s injury news.

Arteta does have options – playing midfielder Mikel Merino and winger Leandro Trossard down the middle for large parts of last season.

The Gunners are also set to be without Bukayo Saka for a number of weeks following the injury he sustained during their 5-0 thrashing of Leeds on Saturday.

While there remains uncertainty around whether Martin Odegaard will be fit to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

The Gunners captain was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 38th minute and replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

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Arsenal forward Kai Havertz will have surgery on a knee injury, but is not expected to be out for a significant amount of time.

The 26-year-old featured in the opening win over Manchester United from the substitutes’ bench, but missed the 5-0 victory over Leeds with the problem.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said before the Leeds match that “we need more time” before determining what course of action Havertz’s injury required.

The hope is that the Germany international will be out for weeks rather than months.

That will give Arteta some relief as he is already without winger Bukayo Saka, midfielders Martin Odegaard and Christian Norgaard, defender Ben White and forward Gabriel Jesus through injury.

Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres is the club’s only fit striker and scored his first two Premier League goals against Leeds.

Havertz’s injury accelerated Arsenal’s move for England attacker Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and the £60m signing has started training with the Gunners.

Arsenal face champions Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield with both sides having won their opening two league matches of the season.