Kai Havertz undergoes surgery on knee injury but key Arsenal boost expected | OneFootball

It is hoped that Gunners forward will be sidelined for a period of weeks rather than months

Out of action: Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury playing for Arsenal against Manchester United on opening weekend

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Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has undergone surgery on a knee injury, though he is not expected to be sidelined for the long-term.

Havertz was quickly ruled out of Arsenal’s maiden home outing against newly-promoted Leeds, which they won 5-0 but also saw star winger Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard forced off with respective hamstring and shoulder injuries ahead of Sunday’s huge clash with title rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Arsenal have confirmed that Havertz has now undergone a minor procedure after consulting with specialists, though Standard Sport understands the injury is not thought to be long-term and it is hoped that he will be sidelined for a period of weeks rather than months.

“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,” Arsenal said in a statement on Thursday evening.

“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.”

The knee problem is another frustrating setback for the former Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen forward, who missed most of the second half of last season after tearing his hamstring during a training camp in Dubai in February.

Saka is set to miss out against Liverpool in addition to Havertz, as well as being absent for England’s double-header against Andorra and Serbia.

Odegaard could be fit to play on Merseyside after being named in the Norway squad to face Finland and Moldova, though Ben White and Christian Norgaard are both doubts. Eberechi Eze will be vying for his Arsenal debut at Anfield after training with his new team-mates this week following a £67.5m switch from Crystal Palace.

Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, is stepping up his training activities as he continues to recover from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in January.

Manager Mikel Arteta will provide a new update on Arsenal’s injury situation on Friday, when he addresses the media at London Colney ahead of the weekend clash with champions Liverpool, who will be without new signing Jeremie Frimpong but hope that influential midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will be fit for the blockbuster early season showdown.