Kai Havertz

KAI HAVERTZ has undergone knee surgery – leaving Arsenal with just ONE fit recognised striker.

The 26-year-old has been out since picking up an injury in training – days after a 30-minute cameo off the bench in a 1-0 opening-day win over Manchester United on August 17.

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SunSport understands that Havertz has shared his time between London Colney and his native Germany, being assessed by doctors to determine the severity of the issue.

And the Gunners have since decided to take precautionary measures with Havertz going under the knife for the second time in six months.

A club statement read: “Further to sustaining a knee injury after our recent game against Manchester United on 17 August, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews with Kai confirmed that surgery would be required.

“Today, Kai underwent a successful minor surgical procedure.

“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.”

It means Havertz will miss crunch Prem clashes against Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle, as well as the start to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign next month.

Havertz had a hamstring operation back in February that saw him only return for the final two games of last term, but this minor procedure is not expected to keep him out for a similar period.

It now leaves boss Mikel Arteta relying on summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line without any back-up for at least the next few weeks.

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Gabriel Jesus – Arsenal’s third-choice No.9 – is also still on the recovery table, expected to return towards the end of 2025 after an ACL reconstruction in January.

However, Arsenal are confident that they have the squad to deal with the absence, hijacking Tottenham’s £68m deal for Eberechi Eze last week 24 hours after Havertz’s injury news.

Arteta does have options – playing midfielder Mikel Merino and winger Leandro Trossard down the middle for large parts of last season.

The Gunners are also set to be without Bukayo Saka for a number of weeks following the injury he sustained during their 5-0 thrashing of Leeds on Saturday.

While there remains uncertainty around whether Martin Odegaard will be fit to face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

The Gunners captain was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 38th minute and replaced by Ethan Nwaneri.

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ARSENAL have released a statement with an update on the injury of Kai Havertz.

The German forward has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hamstring tear.

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Havertz, 25, picked up the injury during the club’s training camp in Dubai and will need to undergo surgery.

The club confirmed in a statement that this was the case.

It was also revealed that the former Chelsea star will have a recovery programme that will run into the pre-season training for the 2025/26 campaign.

It read: “We can confirm that Kai Havertz has sustained a hamstring injury during a training session in Dubai last week.

“Subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that the injury will require surgery, which will take place in the coming days.

“Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season.

“Everyone at the club is fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”

More to follow…

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ARSENAL fought back from a goal down to beat Tottenham 2-1 in controversial circumstances at the Emirates.

Son Heung-Min had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play.

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But as they have done so often, the Gunners scored from a corner as Gabriel Magalhaes‘ header was bundled in as an own goal by Dominic Solanke.

However, replays showed the ball had deflected off of Leandro Trossard and should have actually been a goal kick.

The home side did not let it phase them as Trossard arrowed in another goal on the stroke of half-time.

And Arsenal went on to see out the result in a cagey second half. Here is how SunSport’s Dan King rated the Gunners in the North London derby.

David Raya – 6

Spectator until kept out Kulusevski shot midway through first half, then beaten by deflection for Son goal. Didn’t make a save in second half.

Jurrien Timber – 6

Solid enough defensively to keep Son Heung-Min mostly quiet but less sure of himself going forward, wasting good chances to cross.

William Saliba – 6

Untroubled until Son’s shot went in off him. Started second half hesitantly but kept his concentration to minimise Tottenham openings.

Gabriel Magalhaes – 8

Brilliant interception to deny Solanke then decisive at other end to force equaliser. Excellent against Solanke twice more in calm and steadfast second half.

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Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8

Fine pass to play in Sterling set tone for excellent, mature, all-round display from second youngest Arsenal player to start a North London derby. 

Thomas Partey – 7

Strong presence who won the ball back well, not least ahead of Arsenal’s second goal. But sometimes looked vulnerable to Spurs’ pace on break.

Declan Rice – 7

Covered lots of ground and finally found a good set-piece delivery to create equaliser. Still not quite at his best, but much closer.

Raheem Sterling – 5

Saw plenty of ball, but with little end product, including golden chances at start of both halves. Curiously reluctant to take on his man. Deservedly hooked.

Martin Odegaard – 6

Prompted and probed without finding killer pass but released Trossard for second goal. Missed chance to make it 3-1, fewer signs of return to form than Rice.

Leandro Trossard – 6

Frustrated home fans with lack of killer instinct and poor decisions until he fired Arsenal in front.

Did little after break to merit staying on for so long.

Kai Havertz – 4

Barely involved first half apart from nicking ball off Spurs keeper Kinsky. Headed wide from close range early in second. Nothing coming off for him.

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Gabriel Martinelli (for Sterling, 61) – 5

Slow to get up to speed and contributed little apart from one penetrating run into the box and a blocked shot.

Kieran Tierney (for Trossard, 77) – 6

Brought on to shore things up and did it well enough

Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Lewis-Skelly, 87) – 6

Useful legs for dying minutes, almost created chance

Mikel Merino (for Rice, 87) – 6

Good booking to stop Solanke getting away in stoppage time

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Neto, Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Ismeal Kabia.

ARSENAL fans fumed as Kai Havertz was denied taking a penalty – before Leandro Trossard’s miss.

The Gunners were leading Shakhtar Donetsk after Gabriel Martinelli’s strike on the half hour mark forced an own goal from keeper Dmytro Riznyk.

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But Arsenal had the chance to wrap the game up with 15 minutes to go after Valeriy Bondar handled in the box.

Following a VAR check, referee Benoit Bastien pointed to the spot.

Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s chief penalty taker but the England winger was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Havertz has taken a penalty for the Gunners before and has missed only once from 12 yards in his career.

But still it was Trossard who was given responsibility – for the first time in an Arsenal shirt.

And his effort was saved by the legs of Riznyk to make up for his earlier mistake.

It left Gooners fuming as one said: “Havertz has scored 20 of the 21 penalties he’s taken in his career. Why was Trossard taking it?”

Another added: “You get a penalty and give it to Trossard yet your best penalty taker (Havertz) is on pitch.

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“We can really take risks and that’s not acceptable.”

One raged: “Havertz is way too nice too. Should have snatched the ball straight away from Trossard.”

Another fumed: “Why didn’t Havertz take the pen? Of the 11 on the field, he is the logical penalty taker for Arsenal. Horrible penalty from Trossard.”

Fortunately for Trossard, Arsenal held onto their 1-0 lead to win the game but Arteta said it was not his decision for the Belgian to take the penalty.

He said: “I dunno the conversation as he [Havertz] is one of the takers, Leo decided to take it, okay he missed it unfortunately.”