Kai Havertz suffers fresh injury blow as Arsenal launch emergency transfer plan

Kai Havertz came off the bench in Arsenal's opening day win over Manchester United, but is now set for a spell on the sidelines with the Gunners poised to return to the transfer market

Kai Havertz is set to be out of action for Arsenal after picking up a fresh injury. Havertz spent a long period of last season on the sidelines with a serious hamstring injury.

He has since recovered and made a substitute appearance in the weekend's slender victory against Manchester United. But Havertz is now facing another period of absence.

According to The Athletic, the German has picked up an issue with his knee and did not take part in an open training session hosted at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Assessments are reportedly at an early stage and it is unclear over how long Havertz could be out for.

His absence - as well as Gabriel Jesus' current injury woes - means that summer signing Viktor Gyokeres is the club's only fit striker. He endured a quiet debut at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The latest blow has caused Arsenal to launch an emergency transfer plan. The Gunners are now keen to add another forward to bolster their attacking ranks as they look to finally land the Premier League title.

Gyokeres, a £64million signing from Sporting, underwhelmed on his competitive Gunners debut, with Arteta admitting there was room for improvement when it came to pressing from the front.

He said: “Well he did a lot of things very good. You can tell especially in our high press and rhythm that we demand, that especially in the first half we were giving a bit too much time. It is something that we have to work on him, especially there."

They have been linked with Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who was left out of Real Madrid's La Liga opener vs Osasuna. Xabi Alonso moved to play down those rumours however, claiming his omission was purely tactical.

Speaking about his future, Real boss Alonso said: “These are match decisions. The way the match was going, we needed another profile. There have been no decisions for the future.

“Nothing is going on. The Club World Cup was a different context because of the competition it was. Today it's just one game, we can leave the rest behind.

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“What counts is this season and of course I'm counting on Rodrygo. It's just one game, we shouldn't read too far into the future.

“If he gets those minutes in three months' time, I'll be able to answer you with more certainty. Today it was just the circumstances of the game and my decisions.”

Arsenal were also linked with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer, but he appears to be closing in on a move to North London rivals Tottenham instead.

Arteta is currently preparing his side for their first Premier League home game of the season. After beating United, the North London side welcome newly-promoted Leeds to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.