Former Premier League star Les Ferdinand fears Kai Havertz will miss the remainder of the season after the Arsenal star was forced off within the win over Newcastle United.
The Gunners moved three points clear on the summit of the Premier League once more with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Magpies in front of a nervy Emirates crowd on Saturday.
Eberechi Eze scored the sport’s only goal with an excellent strike from range but was forced off later within the second-half.
Arsenal had already lost Havertz by that time. After being involved within the goal, the Germany international went down off the ball on 33 minutes with a difficulty together with his groin or upper leg area.
Havertz limped off the pitch and went straight down the tunnel for treatment with Viktor Gyokeres brought onto replace him.
Speaking after the sport, Mikel Arteta said the difficulty was a ‘muscular issue’ and was hopeful his forward could be available for next week’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright was not convinced, nevertheless, admitting he was ‘quite concerned’ with what he believes will probably be a ‘lengthy’ injury blow for his old side.
Alongside Wright was former Newcastle and Tottenham star Ferdinand who feared the worst for the German.
‘That appears like a reoccurrence of 1 he has had before and you may tell by his face as he walked off straight down the tunnel that you just don’t expect to see him any time soon,’ Ferdinand told Premier League Productions.
Havertz missed the ultimate 4 months of last season with a hamstring injury that required surgery. He featured on the opening day of the present campaign against Manchester United but was then sidelined again after undergoing what the club initially described as ‘minor’ knee surgery.
He didn’t play until January, starting 10 games since returning to motion.
Havertz was preferred up top against Manchester City last week with Gyokeres left on the bench with Arsenal’s attack more fluid with him in it, also aided by the presence of Eze and Martin Odegaard.
Should Havertz miss the remainder of the season, Ferdinand fears it’ll leave a significant problem for Arteta to unravel.
‘He [Havertz] leads the road rather well and gets himself into good positions where he can link the play for Arsenal.
‘That’s what they’re missing with Viktor, he hasn’t been in a position to link it quite in addition to Havertz and when he [Havertz] is there, Arsenal have a point of interest and so they can play off him. That will probably be an actual big miss for them.’
MORE: Mohamed Salah injury update as blow threatens to finish Liverpool profession early
MORE: Antoine Semenyo out of Man City squad as Pep Guardiola explains FA Cup selection
MORE: Xavi Simons taunted by Wolves fans while stretchered off after Tottenham injury blow