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Arsenal star Kai Havertz has suffered an injury setback (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have suffered a new injury blow with Kai Havertz set for a spell out of the team with a muscular injury.
Havertz missed most of last season through injury but returned to action last month, featuring in Arsenal’s last four games.
Mikel Arteta has repeatedly emphasised Havertz’s importance to the team and the German has made an instant impact since returning, scoring two goals and making another two assists.
Havertz’s impressive form has led to calls for the Germany international to once again lead the line for Arsenal over £64m summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
But Arteta will have to make do without Havertz once again after he suffered a muscular injury, according to The Athletic.
The issue will rule Havertz out of next weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham, as well as Arsenal’s two upcoming games.
Arsenal, sitting just three points clear at the top of the Premier League following Manchester City’s win over Fulham on Wednesday night, return to action against Brentford on Thursday.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal v Sunderland - Premier League
Kai Havertz has suffered another injury setback (Picture: Getty)
The Gunners then take on League One strugglers Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup this weekend before a Premier League clash with bottom-placed Wolves next Wednesday.
Arsenal visit Tottenham on February 22, aiming to complete a double over their north London rivals following a 4-1 win at home in November, but Havertz will not be involved.
Havertz tore his hamstring this time last year and the significant injury required surgery, but this new issue is not thought to be ‘similarly serious’.
But it will still come as a blow to Arteta, who is already without captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino.
Discussing Havertz’s return last month, Arteta said: ‘The team knows how important Kai is for us and how he can help the team to be much better and take the team to another level.
‘Let’s bring him on board and make sure we use him in the right way because he is going to be really important for us in the second part of the season.’
More to follow…
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