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Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal still do not know when Kai Havertz will return.

Arsenal striker Havertz suffered a flare-up of a knee injury this week and is facing an extended spell on the sidelines. Gunners boss Arteta said the club are making checks on the injury and it is believed they are hoping it may settle down after rest and treatment.

But it could also yet need surgery which would mean a longer lay-off amid fears that there is something in his knee which has caused the issue. Havertz felt it in pre-season, sat out a friendly with Villarreal and it flared up again after his substitute appearance at Manchester United on Sunday.

While it is not a serious knee injury, it will result in a lay-off and prompted the £67.5million signing of Eberechi Eze, but Arteta admitted that there is no set return date other than he will definitely miss Saturday’s game with Leeds.

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It is a major blow for Havertz who was coming back from a hamstring injury last season and faces fresh competition from new signing Viktor Gyokeres.

Arteta said: “Well, he’s certainly not fit for this match. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and we don't really know yet the extent of it. I think we need a bit more time and some more tests and after that we'll have more clarity about the next steps.

“I prefer not to talk about the specifics but he's not fit. As I said, we need to explore that issue a little bit further and then decide what we're going to do. The bad scenario is that he can't play tomorrow.

"I would love to have him fresh and available and bring what he brings to the team. Unfortunately, that's not going to be possible.”

Despite the setback and Havertz missing training this week, Arteta insisted that he is still in good spirits. He added: “Well, mentally he's in a good place. He's a really strong boy, very committed. As you said, he had an incredible recovery from the hamstring surgery. I think he never had an injury before, so it was a first experience really.

“Now he's got a setback. Let's see how bad it is, but I'm sure he's going to deal in the best possible way. As I said, he has the joy of a kid and hopefully we're going to have him soon.”

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