Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz has undergone a minor knee operation and is expected to miss only weeks rather than months as he begins rehabilitation, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
The 26-year-old missed Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds at the Emirates last Saturday after injuring his knee following the opening-weekend victory at Manchester United on 17 August.
“Today, Kai underwent a successful minor surgical procedure,” Arsenal said in a club statement on Thursday. “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 club’s medical team and specialists concluded surgery was required after follow-up assessments, but Arsenal remain upbeat about a relatively swift return to action for the Germany international.
Havertz’s injury came shortly before Arsenal scuppered Eberechi Eze’s proposed move to arch-rivals Tottenham by signing the England international from Crystal Palace for an initial fee of some £60 million ($81 million).
Eze was presented to the Emirates crowd before Arsenal’s victory over Leeds and is set to make his debut against Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with the Gunners desperate to end their 22-year wait for an English top-flight title.
As well as being without Havertz for the trip to Merseyside, manager Mikel Arteta is also unable to select Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard after they sustained hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively, against Leeds.
Christian Norgaard and Ben White are also doubtful, while Gabriel Jesus remains a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
AFP
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