Arsenal forward Kai Havertz undergoes knee surgery

The 26-year-old Germany international featured off the bench in Arsenal's opening Premier League win over Manchester United but missed the subsequent 5-0 victory against Leeds due to the problem. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta initially said the club needed "more time" to assess the severity of the injury, but it was later decided that surgery was necessary.

On Thursday, the Gunners confirmed Havertz underwent "a successful minor surgical procedure." Sky Sports News reports that while the injury is a concern, the club is optimistic that Havertz will be out for weeks rather than months.

This latest setback comes after Havertz had only just returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out from February to May. As a result, he was not included in Germany's squad for September's World Cup qualifiers.

The injury adds to Arsenal's growing list of sidelined players. Bukayo Saka is expected to be out for three to four weeks with a hamstring issue sustained in the win over Leeds. Midfielder Martin Odegaard also suffered a shoulder injury in the same match, although the full extent is still unclear.

Arteta is also managing the absences of Christian Norgaard, Ben White, and Gabriel Jesus. However, there was a positive update from Jesus, who recently posted footage of himself training on grass as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury suffered in January.

With Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres currently Arsenal's only fit striker - after scoring his first two Premier League goals against Leeds - the club moved quickly to strengthen its attacking options. England international Eberechi Eze has joined the Gunners from Crystal Palace in a 60 million pounds deal and has already begun training with the squad.

Arsenal next face defending champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with both teams having won their opening two league games of the season.