Surgery possible as Kai Havertz ruled out of Germany squad | OneFootball

Kai Havertz has been ruled out of Germany’s September World Cup qualifiers after suffering a knee injury that could yet require surgery, according to the Director of the German national team Rudi Voller.

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The 26-year-old picked up the problem after coming on as a sub in Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Manchester United on the opening weekend and played no part in the 5-0 victory against Leeds.

Arsenal have so far provided scant details on the nature of the knee injury or on a recovery timeframe.

At a press briefing in Hurtgenwald, Germany’s national team director Rudi Völler confirmed Havertz would not join Julian Nagelsmann’s squad. “He certainly won’t make it; he has a knee injury,” Völler said.

“We don’t know exactly how things will unfold in the next few weeks. Whether surgery will be necessary or whether it will be treated conservatively.”

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The absence rules Havertz out of qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland and places fresh doubt over his short-term availability for Arsenal.

The club’s medical staff are continuing to assess the damage, with further tests expected to determine whether rehabilitation alone will be sufficient or if surgery will be required.

His last appearance for Germany came in November 2024, a 1-1 draw against Hungary.

With Havertz sidelined, Arsenal’s forward options fall heavily on summer signing Viktor Gyökeres, supported by Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke as Mikel Arteta manages a growing injury list that also includes Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard along with Ben White and Christian Norgaard.

The prognosis remains uncertain, but the fear for both club and country is that a conservative treatment plan may not be enough, leaving surgery as the best option which would extend his absence in to the winter months, at least.