Arsenal supporters were left holding their breath after seeing Kai Havertz go down with a knee knock on the opening day at Old Trafford.
Early fears suggested the Germany international could be facing months on the sidelines, but new reports suggest the injury isn’t as serious as initially thought.
Surgery on the Cards, But Short-Term Layoff Expected
According to The Athletic, Havertz is set to undergo surgery to address the problem.
While the exact timeframe for his return hasn’t been confirmed, sources indicate the 26-year-old won’t be sidelined for an extended period, offering a welcome boost to Gunners fans worried about losing one of their key attackers.
Germany Squad Update Confirms Injury Concerns
Havertz was notably absent from Germany’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, prompting questions about the severity of his injury.
Team director Rudi Voller confirmed the situation, revealing that surgery might be needed but the team is still monitoring the recovery process.
“He certainly won’t make it, he has a knee injury,” Voller explained.
“We don’t know exactly how it will go in the coming weeks, whether surgery is upcoming or it will be treated conservatively.”
A History of Injury Woes for Havertz at Arsenal
This isn’t the first time injuries have hampered Havertz’s season.
Last year, during a mid-season training camp in Dubai, he suffered a hamstring issue that sidelined him for three months after surgery.
He only returned toward the end of the season, making brief appearances off the bench in Arsenal’s final Premier League fixtures.
Arteta Faces Additional Injury Headaches
The timing of Havertz’s situation comes as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also monitoring knocks to captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.
Both were forced off during the club’s 5-0 win over Leeds, leaving Arsenal with a depleted attacking line.
The good news is that Odegaard has been named in Norway’s squad for their upcoming matches against Finland and Moldova, suggesting his injury may not be too serious
. Saka’s status remains uncertain ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Anfield on Sunday.
Preparing for the Top-of-the-Table Clash
Arteta is set to hold a press conference on Friday ahead of the high-profile clash at Anfield, with fans hoping for updates on his key players’ fitness.
In the meantime, Havertz’s relatively positive prognosis should provide some comfort to the Gunners camp as they prepare for another challenging week in the Premier League.
