Havertz to undergo surgery on knee injury, not expected to miss significant time

Kai Havertz will undergo surgery on his knee issue and a lengthy absence is not expected as he recovers.

The procedure is not major and comes after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on August 22 that Havertz needed “more tests” to determine the timeframe on his return.

The Athletic reported on August 20 that Havertz was set for a spell on the sidelines with the injury.

“Mentally, he’s in a good space,” Arteta added. “He’s really a strong boy, very committed. He had an incredible recovery from the hamstring surgery (last season).

“He never had an injury before, so it was his first experience really. Now, he’s got a setback. Let’s see how bad it is but I’m sure he’s going to react in the best way possible.”

Havertz was out several months last season after suffering a hamstring injury during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai in February, only coming back for the final two games of the campaign. He had previously featured in 37 of 38 league games during his first season at Arsenal following his move from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.

The absence leaves summer signing Viktor Gyokeres as the sole recognised No 9 available to Mikel Arteta, with Gabriel Jesus out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear he sustained in January. Midfielder Mikel Merino and winger Leandro Trossard filled in up front in the second half of last season with Havertz and Jesus out.

Arsenal were actively exploring the transfer market to reinforce their attack, following Havertz’s injury. They have completed the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, for an initial £60million ($81.2m) with a potential £7.5m in add-ons.