Arsenal could attempt to sign striker after Kai Havertz picks up knee injury

Arsenal are assessing a knee injury suffered by Kai Havertz and could attempt to bring in a replacement if the Germany forward faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Havertz, who came on as a substitute in Arsenal’s win at Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, did not take part in an open training session at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old is understood to have picked up the injury during his appearance at Old Trafford and it is understood that Arsenal are concerned that he could be absent for an extended period, even if the early indications are that it is not extremely serious.

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That would leave Mikel Arteta with the new signing Viktor Gyökeres as the only available recognised striker in his squad, with Gabriel Jesus not expected to return from a knee injury in the near future. Arsenal have previously shown an interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze but the England forward looks close to joining Tottenham and was seen as an option for the left wing or in an attacking midfield role.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal, who have spent almost £200m on six new signings this summer, attempt to bring in another No 9 should Havertz be ruled out for a significant spell. Mikel Merino filled in when Havertz missed 18 matches last season after suffering a hamstring injury in February, and the Spain midfielder scored seven goals from then until May.

“They can play together,” Arteta has said of Havertz and Gyökeres. “Kai can play in different positions as well. I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide oppositions with a lot of problems.”

Arsenal are still hoping to move on a number of fringe players before the end of the transfer window. Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko both have interest from Porto, with Italian clubs having also been linked to the Poland defender.

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