Kai Havertz
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal are facing an anxious wait to discover whether Kai Havertz will require surgery on the knee injury he sustained against Manchester United last weekend.
The Germany international, who missed much of the second half of last season with a hamstring tear suffered during a training camp in Dubai, has endured another frustrating setback.
According toBild, Havertz is experiencing “problems with the cartilage and loose bodies in his knee” and will undergo conservative treatment, including a series of injections, over the next fortnight.
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Should Arsenal’s medical team be able to manage the issue, the 25-year-old could avoid surgery and a lengthy absence. However, he has already been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leeds United, where summer signing Viktor Gyokeres is expected to lead the line once again.
Havertz’s injury has accelerated Arsenal’s pursuit of Crystal Palace talisman Eberechi Eze, with the Gunners striking a £60 million deal for the 27-year-old England international earlier this week. Eze sat out Palace’s UEFA Conference League play-off win over Fredrikstad on Thursday night, with Eagles head coach Oliver Glasner admitting the forward is unlikely to feature for the club again.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze (Image credit: Getty Images)
“I’m responsible for Crystal Palace and I think he won’t play for us again,” Glasner said when asked if Eze was bound for the Emirates Stadium. “I have to prepare the team for Nottingham [Forest] in the Premier League on Sunday and for the second leg against Fredrikstad, and I’m planning without Eberechi.”
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Glasner revealed that he had expected Eze to start in Palace’s historic first European fixture but was instead informed by the player on the day of the game that he was not feeling well enough to feature. Northern Ireland international Justin Devenny was drafted into the starting XI as a late replacement.
Quizzed on whether Eze’s withdrawal was down to physical or mental reasons, Glasner replied: “You have to ask him. Maybe in a few days you can ask. I’ve never experienced a player calling to say they can’t play in this kind of situation and I don’t want it to happen anymore.”
The developments leave Arsenal hopeful of announcing Eze’s arrival in the coming days, but concerns over Havertz’s long-term fitness could overshadow what would otherwise be another high-profile attacking addition for Mikel Arteta’s side.
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