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Arsenal are plotting the emergency signing of a new forward with Kai Havertz facing a spell on the sidelines, according to reports. The former Chelsea man has struggled with injuries over the last few months, having missed the back half of last season with a hamstring problem which required surgery. Mikel Merino was forced to deputise as a makeshift striker in Havertz's absence.

Since then, Arsenal have moved to prevent a repeat of that situation by completing a move for Viktor Gyokeres. The latter will almost certainly be the club's first-choice striker, having scored 39 league goals for Sporting last season. However, a fresh development will reportedly see Arsenal delve back into the market for another forward player.

They are scouring the market for an emergency signing after Havertz picked up a knee injury, according to The Athletic. The severity of the problem is not yet known, with the forward set to undergo further tests in the coming days.

Arsenal held an open training session at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, but Havertz was nowhere to be seen. The north Londoners will be hoping for a positive prognosis in order to avoid losing the German for an extended period of time.

The report adds that Arsenal are 'actively' exploring the transfer market to find cover for Havertz, which suggests they expect him to be sidelined for a while.

His injury leaves Gyokeres as the only fit and available recognised striker in Mikel Arteta's current squad. Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from a serious knee ligament injury and is not expected to return for quite some time.

Leandro Trossard has played up front when required to deputise as a striker in the past. However, it seems Arsenal would rather sign a natural centre-forward than attempt to fit square pegs into round holes.

It comes after Arteta suggested that Havertz could play together with Gyokeres, with the German forward able to cover several different attacking roles.

"They can play together," said the Arsenal boss after Havertz was on target in the pre-season victory over Athletic Bilbao. "Kai can play in different positions, as well.

"I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide oppositions with a lot of problems.

"It is great to see both of them scoring, both of them in such good form and it's a good problem to have."

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