Arsenal have now confirmed that Havertz suffered the injury at their warm-weather training camp in Dubai, and that it will require surgery in the coming days.
‘Soon after surgery, Kai will begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season,’ Arsenal said in a statement.
Paul Merson has now claimed that, in Havertz’s absence, one young player in particular now has the opportunity to become a real breakout star.
Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz of Arsenal line up prior to kick-off ahead of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal...
Paul Merson backs Ethan Nwaneri to shine in Kai Havertz absence
The player in question is Ethan Nwaneri, who has made his breakthrough for Arsenal this season and is now a key member of Mikel Arteta’s first team.
Nwaneri made history as the Premier League’s youngest ever player when he came on against Brentford in 2022.
Just over two years later, the 17-year-old has 25 senior appearances for Arsenal, and seven goals to his name.
Merson, writing on Sky Sports, believes Nwaneri now has an “unbelievable chance” of really making a name for himself now he’s set for regular game time.
“The sky is the limit for Nwaneri as a player and now he knows he’s in the team,” wrote Merson. “Who knows? This is what superstars are made of.
“You never know if a player is really going to be a superstar until they get a consistent run of games, and this might be his moment. He’s got an unbelievable chance.”
“We’re going to have to be very flexible in the front line,” Arteta told reporters earlier in February.
“And now the ones that we have and are fit, make sure that they stay fit and they keep contributing.
“Leo can play in that position. Raheem has played in that position. Ethan, I think, can play in that position. Martinelli can play there.
“Let’s see in relation to how everybody is, moment, opponent, but at some point, I think we’re going to have to try something different.”
Two months earlier, Arteta said Nwaneri could certainly be developed into a striker because of how clinical he is in front of goal.
He said “Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder, left attacking midfielder, as a right winger and there is another position he can develop into in a few years time.”
When pressed on what that other position is, the Arsenal manager replied: “(Number) nine.
“He’s got the goal in front of him and he just looks at the goal. He has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”
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