Kai Havertz injury update as Arsenal hopeful over return timeline

Arsenal are confident Kai Havertz will be fit when the Premier League season resumes after the international break.

The forward has withdrawn from Germany duties, for Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands, due to a knee problem, despite playing 90 minutes in the 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday.

Standard Sport understands that Havertz's withdrawal was a precautionary measure from the Gunners and it is hoped the forward will be fit to face Bournemouth on Saturday, November 19.

Havertz has been a regular for Arsenal this season and the only match he has not started was the Carabao Cup win over Bolton last month.

The forward also featured for Germany at Euro 2024 and as such had a reduced pre-season, with the hope being a break now will serve him well in the long run.

Arsenal have struggled with fitness issues in their squad this season. Martin Odegaard has been sidelined since the previous international break, Merino Merino saw his debut delayed by a month and the likes of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all missed games.

Thomas Partey will also remain at London Colney during the international break after withdrawing from the Ghana squad. An official statement detailed the reason as "medical issues", which Standard Sport understands is an illness.

Partey also expected to be fit for the trip to the Cherries when the season resumes.