Arsenal handed nightmare injury update as star may need surgery

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz has been ruled out with injury (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Kai Havertz will miss Arsenal's trip to Liverpool on Sunday and Germany's two World Cup qualifiers in the September international break.

The 26-year-old sustained a knee injury during a substitute appearance against Manchester United on the opening Premier League weekend and sat out of the 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday. Mikel Arteta said Arsenal were not sure how serious Havertz's issue was and that more tests would be conducted to decide on the prognosis and type of treatment needed.

Rudi Voller, the men's national team director at the German football federation, has confirmed Havertz won't be involved during their World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Northern Ireland next month. He added that the former Chelsea man might need surgery.

"He certainly won't make it, he has a knee injury," Voller said. "We don't know exactly how it will go in the coming weeks, whether surgery is upcoming or it will be treated conservatively."

Havertz was sidelined for three months during the second half of last season due to suffering a hamstring tear on the club's mid-season tour in Dubai. He returned to the fold for the final two matches of the campaign and had been a firm fixture in Arteta's plans for 2025/26, despite the £64million arrival of Viktor Gyokeres.

However, his latest injury lay-off has led to Arsenal react in the transfer window and make a move for long-term target Eberechi Eze, who has since signed for the Gunners from Crystal Palace for £67m.

Eze, 27, was unveiled to the Arsenal supporters before their game against Leeds on Saturday. The England international became the seventh arrival of the summer, with Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Gyokeres the others coming through the doors.

As well as Havertz, Bukayo Saka is also expected to be absent against Liverpool on Sunday. The 23-year-old limped off during the Leeds game and Arteta cut a concerned figure in his post-match press conference, revealing that it is a "significant" problem. Although Saka's issue is not as bad as first feared, he is still anticipated to miss up to four weeks, including two England matches and at least three Arsenal games.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard is doubtful for the clash on Merseyside after he was forced to go off with a shoulder issue against Leeds. The Norway international looked in pain as he was replaced in the first half and he is understood to have left the Emirates Stadium with his shoulder in a sling.

Odegaard has not been ruled out of the trip to Liverpool and there is optimism that neither him or Saka will be long-term causalities. Gunners captain Odegaard has been included in Norway's squad for games against Finland and Moldova next month - hinting he may not be sidelined for too long.

But, regarding their next fixture against the Reds, Saka will be unavailable, while Odegaard is a doubt and could miss out alongside four other players, including Havertz.