Arsenal have reportedly secured a mixed update on Kai Havertz's latest injury setback.
The Germany international missed the 5-0 weekend Premier League win at home to Leeds United after Mikel Arteta confirmed a knee injury picked up in training.
Havertz played 30 minutes off the bench in the opening 1-0 victory at Manchester United on August 17 but concern has grown over a fresh injury blow for the former Chelsea attacker.
The 26-year-old missed the second half of last season, after a hamstring issue kept him out of action for four months, before returning in time for preseason.
The club opted for more time, to speak with specialists over Havertz's knee problem, with surgery now confirmed.
However, reports from BBC Sport state Arteta is confident this absence is for 'weeks not months' with several outlets predicting a return at the end of October.
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Despite the blow of losing a key first-team player, Arteta is relieved the diagnosis is not as severe as first feared, as injuries mount for the Gunners.
Bukayo Saka will miss the trip to Liverpool on August 31, and England duty next month, but he should be back by mid-September.
Martin Odegaard will be assessed ahead of the Anfield showdown, after landing awkwardly on his shoulder against Leeds, and Gabriel Jesus is out until November following an ACL operation.
Kai Havertz's injury update, games missed, return date
Arsenal have not offered a firm update on the specifics of Havertz's injury and operation or his return date.
However, the confident angle on his recovery indicates seven Premier League games missed, plus an EFL Cup Third Round trip to Port Vale and three UEFA Champions League matches following confirmation of Arsenal's league phase opponents
Kai Havertz games missed
- Liverpool (A) - Premier League, Aug. 31
- Nottingham Forest (H) - Premier League, Sep. 13
- Champions League MD1 - Sep. 16-18
- Manchester City (H) - Premier League, Sep. 21
- Port Vale (A) - EFL Cup, Sep. 24
- Newcastle United (A) - Premier League, Sep. 28
- Champions League MD2 - Sep. 30-Oct. 1
- West Ham United (H) - Premier League, Oct. 4
- Fulham (A) - Premier League, Oct. 18
- Champions League MD3 - Oct. 21-22
- Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League, Oct. 25
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