The German forward won’t be out too long, though.
Kai Havertz will have knee surgery to repair the injury picked up against Manchester United in the first match of the Premier League season but is only expected to miss a “single digit” number of weeks, according to David Ornstein. On that timetable, it’ll be a two-month recovery max, which could see him return to action in late October. There’s an international break during the second and third weeks in November, which is a bit outside the “single-digit weeks” timing, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Havertz makes his return coming out of that break, if only to steal him another two weeks worth of recovery and return to fitness.
Combining the “we have to wait and see” prognosis immediately after the injury with the 2-ish month timetable, it looks like a meniscus scope for Havertz. A couple things point towards that being the case: there is usually too much swelling in the immediate aftermath of a meniscus injury to determine the extent of the injury and the timeline is that of a meniscectomy — removal of the damaged portions. It’s not a repair / replacement surgery — that’s a 6-9 month injury.
The German will miss at least six Premier League matches (including @Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, @Newcastle — sheesh Arsenal have a rough schedule to open the season), the third round Carabao Cup tie against Port Vale and the fourth round if Arsenal advance, and at least three Champions League matchweeks.
Havertz’s absence will mean plenty of playing time for new signing Viktor Gyökeres leading the line, which could prove a blessing in disguise. It will force the Swede and his teammates to get comfortable with each other, which will hopefully help them get firing early and often this season. When Big Vik needs a break, Mikel Arteta has Leandro Trossard and Mikel “Strikey Mikey” Merino to deputize. The summer additions of Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze should help carry the attacking load with Havertz (and Bukayo Saka) out of the lineup.
It’s a tough blow for Havertz, who spent several months recovering from hamstring surgery last season, but as far as the news goes, it could have been much worse. I’d rather Arsenal’s summer work to add attacking depth and be better able to absorb injuries to star players weren’t tested this early in the season, but at least the club prepared for it and are in a much better spot compared to last season!
Category: General Sports
