David Ornstein: Arsenal striker out with knee knock in huge blow to Arteta

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz is now set to be out of action for a while after recently sustaining a knee injury, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners had an open training session this morning, and the versatile attacker was not involved.

It is unknown when the Arsenal star picked up the knock as he featured against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday.

The Gunners medical team have assessed Havertz, but it is too early to say exactly how long he will be out for.

It is a big blow for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as the German featured again as a striker after replacing Viktor Gyokeres against the Red Devils.

The 26-year-old featured as the number 9 for the Gunners last term, and his injury means the Sweden international is now the only recognised striker fit and available in the squad.

Spain international defensive midfielder Mikel Merino was deployed as a striker for most of the second half of last term after Havertz and Gabriel Jesus got injured.

He will now likely have to provide cover for Gyokeres going forward, but Leandro Trossard can also play in the position.

Havertz suffered a hamstring tear at a training camp in Dubai back in February, and he missed 18 games across the Premier League and Champions League.

It proved costly as Arsenal missed out on the league title and were dumped out of the elite European competition by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

Gyokeres was signed as a result and the Swede now needs to hit the ground running after an underwhelming performance against Man United last weekend.

Jesus is still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January, and Arsenal could now look to bring in another attacker with the Brazil international not expected back for some time.

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