LONDON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Arsenal faces an anxious wait to see the extent of a knee injury striker Kai Havertz has suffered and the problem could lead the club to make a late move in the transfer window.
Havertz missed Wednesday's training session at the Emirates Stadium due to the problem, but the club medical department reportedly needs to allow the injury to settle down before it is able to make a complete diagnosis and estimate how long he will be sidelined.
The German was unavailable for 20 games last season, suffering a minor knee issue in December followed by a hamstring tear in February that kept him out of action until early May.
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres over the summer to give more firepower in attack, but he has still to adapt to the club. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus hasn't played since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in January and is still several months away from returning.
Leandro Trossard can play in a central striking role, but missed much of pre-season with a groin problem, but although midfielder Mikel Merino showed he can play in a striking role last season, if Havertz's knee issue proves to be serious Arsenal will probably move to bring in a new player.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo has been named as a possible target, with the Brazilian playing only a bit-part role in the Club World Cup and the 24-year-old was an unused substitute as his side debuted in La Liga with a 1-0 win at home to Osasuna on Tuesday night. ■
